How many times have you parked your aircraft at the FBO, run inside to use the restroom or grab a quick bite to eat while the line personnel does his/or her job? Not so fast there. One of the most dangerous, yet preventable, aircraft accidents happen due to misfuelling.
Misfuelling often happens because a lineperson is unfamiliar with an aircraft, last minute aircraft changes confuse line personnel, the wrong nozzle is used on a fuel truck, or the pilot fails to supervise refueling.
A quick Google search turns up scores of stories of engine failure in the air or a near miss on the ground due to misfuelling. Don’t be one of them. A few precautions and a pause before you take off can help you avoid disaster.
Fuel Decals
Wing decals make it clear what type of fuel your aircraft requires to anyone who is refueling your craft. They are color-coded. Curbside should have proper color-coded decals with product name displayed. Not only should your aircraft have fuel decals, but the refueling truck should have fuel decals as well. Observe what is on the truck refueling your plane.
Verbally Specify Fuel Grade
Whether you stay with your aircraft during the refueling process or not, you should verbally specify what type of fuel you need and ensure the line person understands. Even if you refuel from the same airport and line person every day, you should make it a practice to specify and confirm the type of fuel you need.
Complete Verification Forms
These forms are not as widely used as they should be, but they provide written confirmation of the type of fuel your aircraft needs. This reduces the risk of misfuelling significantly.
Double Check Your Receipt
Receipts include the grade of fuel used on your aircraft. Double-checking your receipt takes a few seconds from your pre-flight check but it may save lives and your aircraft.
The aviation industry has some of the tightest and most effective safety controls of any industry. As evidence of that, misfuelling accidents are rare, but they result in devastating consequences when they do occur.
Self Serve
Many FBOs have added self-serve fuel to their options especially for small airports. This rests the responsibility of ensuring the correct fuel goes into your plan squarely on your shoulders. Before refueling take a moment to assess what fuel is available and what you need.
AvGas and JetA use different colored decal markings and nozzle sizes. Pay attention to the fuel going into your plane to ensure the type of fuel you think you are getting is what is going into your plane.
