Many years ago, I had an experience that is still fresh in my mind, and I thought I would share it with your readers. I was a member of the Beech Aircraft Flying Club at the time and was using one of their Sundowners for a short trip from the factory in Wichita to Chanute, Kan. Before taking off, I preformed the typical walkaround, sumping the fuel drains, checking the oil, etc.
In retrospect, I should have been a bit more careful and ensured the left wing’s fuel sump drain shut off the flow of fuel when I released it after getting a sample. But I didn’t and turned away, finishing the preflight inspection. I also did not notice the trickle of fuel continuing to drain out of the tank before I boarded the airplane, started it and taxied away from the ramp.
