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Fire during hot refuel @ FARP

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Fire during hot refuel @ FARP

Old 17th Nov 2008, 12:40
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Question Fire during hot refuel @ FARP

Back in 1993 I attended a Flight Safety Awareness Day hosted by the RNLAF at Soesterberg. One of the topics was an American pilot (I think he flew Apache) who suffered a fire during hot refuel at a FARP. The nozzle broke and fuel squirted into the engines creating an inferno instantly.

The guys story was very impressive and showed what happens if you don't wear your nomex clothing and long underwear

Is there anyone out there who knows if his story is to be found on the world wide web?

Cheers!

ND
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Old 17th Nov 2008, 14:03
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Sounds like the story I read in Air Clues from either the very late 80's or very early 90's. ISTR he was left with the option of stay put or open the door and try to run through the inferno, somehow he made it I think the article went into detail on the injuries suffered and how the AEA performed, I remember it convinced me to always wear 2 full layers.

Tried finding a reference to it on the web but no luck I'm afraid. It's a shame that no one has put all the Air Clues articles on the web.
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Old 17th Nov 2008, 18:47
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Ivan,

That is exactly the story I'm after. It is good to know it was in Air Clues but unfortunately I don't have any copies. Thanks for your efforts

If anyone has the story and willing to share plse PM me. I want to use it on my unit for Flight Safety.

This guy is the living prove why it is important to wear your layers properly.
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Old 17th Nov 2008, 23:17
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I remember this incident being used as an example to ensure all equipment was checked throughly before use whilst doing my TSOC many years ago on joining TSW.
There was a similar incident that happened at R850 whilst a Lynx was being refuelled. No fire ensued due to the quick reactions of the refueller but he did get pretty bad fuel burns after jumping on the snaking hose and using his body to stop the fuel spraying towards the aircraft whilst the pump was stopped. The incident was traced back to the mk1 QR coupling that although not the prefered choice due to its easily activated QR action and lack of cut-off valve had to be used due to supply shortages of the prefered, improved mk2 coupling.
BTW, I believe the US incident happened due to the method at the time used which had the full weight of the hose from where it left the ground being supported by the smaller (and weaker) US used QR coupling rather than having the hose trailed up and across the top of the inboard weapon pylon to reduce the weight being supported.
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 10:26
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Hi,

I don't know anything about the incident at the FARP, but back in the 1980's, the US NAVY had a magazine called "Approach".
They used to have explicit photos about the effects of not wearing clothing properly or modifying collars and gloves.
I don't know if the magazine still exists, but maybe one of our US comrades could help you.
It could be useful for your lectures that it's not just about miraculous escapes, but also about more frequent incidents leaving less scars with the proper use of equipment.

Best regards, Transall.
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 12:08
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And Approach is available online here.
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 13:45
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I have a vague recollection that he had to get out the opposite side to his crew mate, so it might have been a Cobra?
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 13:59
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Night Dipper

Is this the AH-64 you seak of?

http://www.azguard.gov/AZAASF1/quizs...pt#310,9,Slide 9

Check out too the other slides - they graphically tell the story without words....

The clear motto is that it is best of all is to learn from others, lest one fall into the same trap.

MB
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 15:10
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All, thanks for your efforts. Transall and Nr fairy, thanks for pointing out Approach which is a great magazine. But I'm really after the story of this American Apache pilot. Besides the mentioned issues with correct Nomex clothing, the DM process of to stay put (thinking the Fire rescue guys will get you out) or make a dash through the inferno was a very interesting one....

Madbob, I've tried your link but can't make it to work. Do you have an other option or any keywords to continue my search in cyberspace.
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 15:41
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There was a video on Liveleak recently (may have been from rotorheads thread) about a USMC Sea Knight or an S53 that showed the fire propogating on the inside of the ac as it lifted, due to a burst hydraulic line.

The Loadie suffered some flash burns but saved the civies from much worse.

May be just what you're looking for.

Here it is:

YouTube - CH-46 Sea Knight take-off fire
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 16:42
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Night Dipper

Try searching Google using the words "pilots saved by Nomex" and on the screen the site I tried to send a link to in my last post came up as the fifth one down the page.

In it there is a powerpoint slide show and picture #9 shows a well-grilled Apache (complete with refuelling hose) and other slides show how wearing Nomex flying suits, gloves etc. does work and prevent one getting burnt very well. Other pictures show what happens when you don't wear the right kit.....(or have your sleeves rolled up when the ought to be down...)

If you can work out how to make the link work other PPRuNers will get a chance to learn the "easy" way.

MB
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 17:14
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Night Dipper

59AviationFROM OUT OF THE FIRE CW3 BOYD (SKIP) TACKETT RECOUNTS HIS EXPERIENCE IN SURVIVING A HOT REFUELING FIRE AT FT HOOD, TX. THROUGH ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND SLIDES WE SEE THE FIRE HE SURVIVED. EXPLAINS HOW HE RECEIVED HIS BURNS AND HOW HE AND THE COPILOT WERE RESCUED AND TREATED DURING THE EXPERIENCE. RECOUNTS WHAT THE TREATMENTS FOR THE BURNS WERE LIKE. DRAWS SOME CONCLUSIONS AS TO HOW TO HELP PILOTS KEEP FROM BEING BURNED IN A FIRE. 1996
139:19:00US ARMY SAFETY PROGRAM710754

Night Dipper - Here's your accident pilot (one of them anyway). The US Army have made a flight safety film of this accident already in 1996. (The accident was in 1994.)

MB
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Old 19th Nov 2008, 07:16
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Skip was in the back seat hence suffered the worst burns, Lieutenant (then) Eric Vickery was in the front seat.
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Old 19th Nov 2008, 12:23
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Madbob,

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction .

On the down side, you 've pointed out that my brains are on the go. (could have sworn it was 1993)
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 11:32
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Remember the Jag Engineer in the cockpit when the one went up in the detuner and how he sat there whilst the canopy melted around him........
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