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

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Key Takeaways:

Misfueling piston aircraft with jet fuel is a persistent and dangerous problem in aviation, frequently leading to serious accidents and fatalities due to human error and historical confusion.
The industry and FAA have implemented various preventative measures, including color-coded placards, distinct fuel nozzle sizes, and reduced-diameter avgas tank filler openings, to reduce misfueling incidents.
Despite these safeguards, misfueling continues to occur, emphasizing the critical need for pilots to remain vigilant, personally verify fuel types, closely monitor the fueling process, and take immediate action 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.