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 severe aviation safety concern, leading to engine failure and accidents despite decades of awareness campaigns.
Early industry and FAA efforts, including advisory circulars, color-coded placards, and standardized different-sized fuel nozzles and filler openings, aimed to prevent these dangerous errors.
Despite these preventative measures and the rise of self-serve avgas, the risk of misfueling remains due to human error and the increasing diversity of fuel types at airports, necessitating active pilot vigilance during fueling.

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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.