Mon, Jul 14, 2014
Can Bind During Tank Switch, Leading To Fuel Starvation
The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) related to an issue with the fuel selector valve installed on Piper Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28R-180, and PA-28R-200 airplanes.
According to the SAIB, the fuel selector valve can be inadvertently switched off and/or may bind when switching fuel tanks and can cause a loss of power in flight. This SAIB also recommends the installation of a fuel selector valve cover designed to prevent inadvertently selecting the off position and the maintenance of fuel selector valves to prevent their binding.
The FAA has received a report of a pilot inadvertently switching off a fuel selector valve while landing a Piper Model PA-28-180C airplane, in December 2011, resulting in a crash with one serious injury and substantial airplane damage. The incident was attributed to the pilot inadvertently selecting the off position of the fuel selector valve and a lack of fuel selector valve maintenance.
To reduce the possibility of inadvertent shutoff and/or binding of fuel selector valves in flight, we recommend that owners and operators of Piper. Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28R-180, and PA-28R-200 airplanes:
- Become fully familiar with the operation of their airplane’s fuel selector valve, including the clock locations of the left tank, right tank and off positions and the feel of a fuel selector valve, when the valve handle is rotated, free from the onset of binding and arresting only at the detent for each tank and off position.
- Replace fuel selector valve covers with a design that utilizes a lockout device for the selection of a valve’s off positions, as addressed by Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 840A, dated 7 November 2013
- Inspect and maintain fuel selector valves in accordance with Piper SB 355, dated 5 Jun 1972.
The FAA also recommends that pilots ensure a flat landing site is available whenever switching fuel tanks and check before landing to ensure that an airplane’s fuel selector valve is positioned on the fullest tank to reduce the possibility of a crash when switching a fuel selector valve.
(Image from file)
More News
Runway Lead-in Light System Runway Lead-in Light System Consists of one or more series of flashing lights installed at or near ground level that provides positive visual guidance a>[...]
Aero Linx: Aviation Without Borders Aviation Without Borders uses its aviation expertise, contacts and partnerships to enable support for children and their families – at hom>[...]
Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]
From 2010 (YouTube Version): Yeah.... This IS A Really Cool Job When ANN's Nathan Cremisino took over the lead of our Aero-TV teams, he knew he was in for some extra work and a lot>[...]
Also: Junkers A50 Heritage, Montaer Grows, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Vans' Latest Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase'>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (04.24.24): Runway Lead-in Light System
See All