Fueling Speculation: Sumping for Safety Still Critical to Preflight Checklist

Instructor recounts a flight where an emergency landing revealed the critical importance of meticulous preflight checks.

Nikita Gabdrakhmanov

Friday, September 26, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The investigation suggested it was a crew fault, with the FAA and maintenance personnel suggesting we hadn’t sumped the fuel to check for water. ...This was not true. [Image: Joel Kimmel]

Key Takeaways:

An engine sputter occurred during takeoff after an hour of flight, prompting an emergency landing on a grassy area, attributed to water in the aircraft's fuel.
The incident's root cause was linked to a deviation in preflight fuel sumping procedure, where the belly sump was drained before the wing tanks, allowing water to re-accumulate in the strainer during subsequent flight maneuvers.
Despite initial preflight checks showing no water, post-incident inspection revealed a significant amount of water in the fuel strainer, highlighting how improper sumping can mask contamination.
The experience served as a crucial lesson underscoring the vital importance of meticulously adhering to preflight checklists and the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), especially regarding the correct sequence for fuel sumping to ensure complete water removal.

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The incident occurred in November 2023 during Florida’s hurricane season, a time known for storms and heavy rain that can last days or even weeks.

After a week of rain, our flight school resumed operations. As a Part 141 school, we follow comprehensive safety practices and procedures manual for how pilots must conduct preflight checks. These emphasize the importance of following checklists and carefully reviewing the aircraft’s POH.