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Fuel Cap Failures

The following is derived from maintenance facility submissions to the FAA’s Service Difficulty Reports database.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Fuel cap issues stem from various causes, including physical wear, deteriorated components (gaskets, plastic parts), and manufacturing or design flaws that prevent proper sealing.
  • Improper securing of fuel caps, such as unsecured lanyards or caps that appear tight but do not properly seal, can lead to significant fuel loss.
  • Fuel cap defects or improper use can result in serious operational consequences, ranging from minor leaks and siphoning to complete fuel loss, engine failure, and aborted takeoffs, highlighting their critical role in flight safety.
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Beech C90A King Air
Worn Fuel Cap

The crew noticed fuel leaking from the right hand outboard fuel cap. Aircraft returned and the fuel cap was replaced with a new one. The aircraft has since flown 4.9 hours with no defects noted.

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