Fueling procedures and safety concerns
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Europe
winglet21,
There is one accident coming to my mind. I think it happened in 2001, the refuel coupling of a BA B777 had a bad casting and broke off during refueling at Denver. AFAIK fuel spilled on the still hot engine, and the fueler was badly burned (I think he died subsequently).
Boeing recommended to inspect the couplings asap (which we did), and we added a regular visual check of the couplings to the maintenance programme (all aircraft I have been involved in so far have such a check in one way or another).
On a more general point of view (no examples at hand!), we have been warned to fill up the tail tanks without paying attention to the aircraft balance - danger of tipping when the rest of the aircraft is almost empty... ;-)
Hope this helps,
J.V.
There is one accident coming to my mind. I think it happened in 2001, the refuel coupling of a BA B777 had a bad casting and broke off during refueling at Denver. AFAIK fuel spilled on the still hot engine, and the fueler was badly burned (I think he died subsequently).
Boeing recommended to inspect the couplings asap (which we did), and we added a regular visual check of the couplings to the maintenance programme (all aircraft I have been involved in so far have such a check in one way or another).
On a more general point of view (no examples at hand!), we have been warned to fill up the tail tanks without paying attention to the aircraft balance - danger of tipping when the rest of the aircraft is almost empty... ;-)
Hope this helps,
J.V.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Kandahar Afghanistan
Winglet,
The only other fueling problems that I can recall seeing are:
Fuel shooting out the vents when the tanks didn't shut off.
Nozzle leak, or nozzle connection leak.
Hose rupture, caused when fueling at hight pressure (50psi) and shutoff valves closed suddenly. Hose had a bad spot that failed.
De-fueling problems: Truck over filled and fuel over flowed.
Mike
The only other fueling problems that I can recall seeing are:
Fuel shooting out the vents when the tanks didn't shut off.
Nozzle leak, or nozzle connection leak.
Hose rupture, caused when fueling at hight pressure (50psi) and shutoff valves closed suddenly. Hose had a bad spot that failed.
De-fueling problems: Truck over filled and fuel over flowed.
Mike
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 0
From: UK
Didn't a BA 747 at Barbados have a fuel coupling part and a wing sprayed with fuel which then ignited? Early-mid 80s I think. They also had a guy there drive through the airport fence, stop by a just started engine, climb out of his truck and onto the back and jump in. No more descriptions!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: uk
Having re-fuelled commercial aircraft for the last 15 years,apart from venting tanks,I'm pleased to say I have had no incidents.Having said that,on one occasion at the airport I work at,we had an incident of the re-fuel coupling shearing which resulted in fueller and engineer running at 2 min mile pace!
There was also a case of the fueller driving off with the hose still connected! Fortunatly there was no major incident following this.
I have also seen a video of the ground connection being broken off by a baggage truck.The fuel must have shot 50' in the air!
There was also a case of the fueller driving off with the hose still connected! Fortunatly there was no major incident following this.
I have also seen a video of the ground connection being broken off by a baggage truck.The fuel must have shot 50' in the air!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Heathrow
Was at Gatwick a while back with the fueller hooked up. While he was refuelling a landrover (security? police? not sure exactly who it was) drove up, hovered around the back of the aeroplane and then drove straight over the pressurised fuel line. Didn't see it myself, but the fueller told me about it. Very glad the pipe didn't rupture.
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 589
From: 500 miles from Chaikhosi, Yogistan
There was a high winged (US?) military plane being refuelled and some fuel vent bungs (?) were not removed, and the subsequent pressure explosion broke the spar amongst other damage.
I am pretty sure the photo is on !!!!!!!!!!!!!! somewhere....others may have more accurate details.
I am pretty sure the photo is on !!!!!!!!!!!!!! somewhere....others may have more accurate details.
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 589
From: 500 miles from Chaikhosi, Yogistan
