Misfueling

My first ride in a DC-3-way back in the cheap seats-could have been my last. It was the mid-1980s, and the old girl had been outfitted to demonstrate early moving-map technology. The tech was so early, in fact, that a DC-3 was needed to accommodate all the electronics that now fit into a smartphone. To make a long story short, a 30-minute demonstration ride became a lengthier weather- and fuel-related diversion. As the crew and passengers disembarked to stretch our legs before the last leg home, a fuel truck pulled up to add some much-appreciated dinosaur juice. It said Jet A on the side.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Misfueling piston aircraft with jet fuel is a persistent and dangerous problem in aviation, leading to serious accidents and fatalities, often stemming from human error or misconceptions.
The aviation industry and regulators have implemented various anti-misfueling measures, including color-coded placards, distinct fuel nozzle and filler opening sizes, and stricter controls on fuel distribution.
Despite these safety measures, misfueling incidents continue to occur, underscoring the critical need for pilots to actively monitor fueling, verify fuel types, and take immediate action if misfueling is suspected.

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My first ride in a DC-3—way back in the cheap seats—could have been my last. It was the mid-1980s, and the old girl had been outfitted to demonstrate early moving-map technology. The tech was so early, in fact, that a DC-3 was needed to accommodate all the electronics that now fit into a smartphone. To make a long story short, a 30-minute demonstration ride became a lengthier weather- and fuel-related diversion. As the crew and passengers disembarked to stretch our legs before the last leg home, a fuel truck pulled up to add some much-appreciated dinosaur juice. It said “Jet A” on the side.