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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Misfueling, the act of putting jet fuel into piston aircraft requiring aviation gasoline, is a persistent and dangerous problem in aviation, having caused accidents and fatalities despite long-standing industry efforts.
To combat misfueling, the industry has implemented color-coded placards, distinct fuel nozzle and filler opening sizes (preventing jet fuel nozzles from fitting into avgas tanks), and FAA guidelines like AC 20-122A.
Despite these measures, misfueling still occurs due to human error and increasing fuel type diversity; therefore, pilots and operators must remain vigilant by closely monitoring fueling, verifying fuel types, and knowing how to respond 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.