The inevitable fuel spill disaster
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2024 7:53 pm
Greetings,
I'm sure this falls into the category of those who have, and those who will.
I was thinking of flying a round trip cross country flight later this week, so I filled the fuel tank rather than leaving it around 13 gal like I usually do. This proved to be a fatal mistake, at least for the windscreen and canopy. The last part filled so fast that it caught me off guard, and overflowed. It’s hard to estimate how much spilled, but at least a few ounces. Naturally, it got on the windscreen, which immediately crumbled. It ran down the glareshield to the sides, and since it’s a taildragger, it ran downhill toward the rear. I immediately looked at the right side where the canopy is hinged, and it didn’t look like it ran that far down, though there was some on the left side. I wiped both sides and went back to the front. I was thinking that I was lucky it was the relatively easily replaceable windscreen, and not the PITA canopy when I heard some popping. It seems a tiny bit of fuel must have seeped between the canopy and frame on the hinge side, then wicked it’s way to the rear of the hinge screw line. About 1/3 of the screw holes now have cracks extending up a few inches, and I'll be surprised if the rest don't by the time I get back out there.
I've absolutely hated this fueling situation, and it shocks everyone who sees it. It was just a matter of time before this happened. I've filled it so many times that I wasn't being careful enough, and now I'll pay for that mistake with a new windscreen, canopy, and unpleasant labor (I hate trimming canopies).
I do try to look for the silver lining:
#1 is a HUGE one, and that's the fact that it happened in my hangar, and didn't strand me at some other airport.
#2 is that will be that I can finally fit the Peter Anson canopy latch. I've had it for a year, but it was going to conflict with the rivet locations in my canopy frame, so I didn't want to try to install it. Now I'll have no excuse, and it will actually be a nice improvement.
#3 is the temp, which is pleasant now, so not freezing or stifling heat.
#4 is that I will probably go ahead and fit the fuel return Rotax wants. I've been doing without it, and it makes the fuel pressure kinda wonky at times. I might even move my fuel flow meter to below the tank rather than after the gascolator. Since the interior already stinks like gasoline, why not.
#5 is an assumption, and that's being thankful that I can actually get a canopy. That wouldn't be the case for a lot of planes out there.
Of course the down side is the hassle, and cost. I ordered a spare canopy and windscreen since there was a discount for the spare, and since it all has to go truck freight. All total, my momentary lapse of attention will will cost me about $1500.
Rusty (have I mentioned I hate the fuel filler location)
I'm sure this falls into the category of those who have, and those who will.
I was thinking of flying a round trip cross country flight later this week, so I filled the fuel tank rather than leaving it around 13 gal like I usually do. This proved to be a fatal mistake, at least for the windscreen and canopy. The last part filled so fast that it caught me off guard, and overflowed. It’s hard to estimate how much spilled, but at least a few ounces. Naturally, it got on the windscreen, which immediately crumbled. It ran down the glareshield to the sides, and since it’s a taildragger, it ran downhill toward the rear. I immediately looked at the right side where the canopy is hinged, and it didn’t look like it ran that far down, though there was some on the left side. I wiped both sides and went back to the front. I was thinking that I was lucky it was the relatively easily replaceable windscreen, and not the PITA canopy when I heard some popping. It seems a tiny bit of fuel must have seeped between the canopy and frame on the hinge side, then wicked it’s way to the rear of the hinge screw line. About 1/3 of the screw holes now have cracks extending up a few inches, and I'll be surprised if the rest don't by the time I get back out there.
I've absolutely hated this fueling situation, and it shocks everyone who sees it. It was just a matter of time before this happened. I've filled it so many times that I wasn't being careful enough, and now I'll pay for that mistake with a new windscreen, canopy, and unpleasant labor (I hate trimming canopies).
I do try to look for the silver lining:
#1 is a HUGE one, and that's the fact that it happened in my hangar, and didn't strand me at some other airport.
#2 is that will be that I can finally fit the Peter Anson canopy latch. I've had it for a year, but it was going to conflict with the rivet locations in my canopy frame, so I didn't want to try to install it. Now I'll have no excuse, and it will actually be a nice improvement.
#3 is the temp, which is pleasant now, so not freezing or stifling heat.
#4 is that I will probably go ahead and fit the fuel return Rotax wants. I've been doing without it, and it makes the fuel pressure kinda wonky at times. I might even move my fuel flow meter to below the tank rather than after the gascolator. Since the interior already stinks like gasoline, why not.
#5 is an assumption, and that's being thankful that I can actually get a canopy. That wouldn't be the case for a lot of planes out there.
Of course the down side is the hassle, and cost. I ordered a spare canopy and windscreen since there was a discount for the spare, and since it all has to go truck freight. All total, my momentary lapse of attention will will cost me about $1500.
Rusty (have I mentioned I hate the fuel filler location)