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 piston aircraft with jet fuel is a persistent and dangerous problem that has caused accidents since the mid-1980s, often due to misunderstandings about fuel types and misleading aircraft nomenclature.
Industry-wide efforts, including FAA advisory circulars, color-coded placards, and standardized fuel nozzle and tank filler opening sizes, have been implemented to prevent misfueling.
Despite these preventative measures, misfueling incidents still occur, emphasizing the critical need for pilots to remain vigilant, verify fuel types, and closely monitor the fueling process to ensure safety.

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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.