Need not be H20 that caused problem
Many posts comment on ice/slush as being the primary cause of fuel degradation but this need not be so. The fuel is complex and a prolonged cold-soaking, in a moderately high frequency environment, might produce physical amalgams and/or emulsion of hydrocarbon + H20 and any other material included in the fuel. Give these oddities a few more hours to develop and they may change their physical characteristics again.
Put those oddities back into a temperate climate (Heathrow ground level) and they might disappear altogether, leaving no clue to there former presence.
Difficult to investigate. And, if the AAIB cannot find another cause it might now have to show that the fuel was, or was not, the cause of the accident. I don't think it can leave doubt.
regards, Tanimbar
Last edited by tanimbar; 26th Apr 2008 at 16:55.