Ground Support Worldwide - 10
INDUSTRY EXPERT
COLUMN:
FBO
The Accelerating Danger of Diesel
Exhaust Fluid Contamination
Proper training and education can prevent tragedy.
L
ast May, two Cessna Citation 550 twinjets
on air ambulance missions received fuel at
a Southwest Florida airport that had been
contaminated with diesel exhaust fluid, or
DEF. While the two jets experienced engine failure,
fortunately both landed safely. This marked the
third time in 18 months that DEF had contaminated the fuel supply of a jet fuel truck and caused
multiple-inflight aircraft engine failures.
DEF is a clear urea- and water-based fluid used
in the emission reduction systems of modern diesel-engine vehicles as required by federal environ-
All photos courtesy of NATA
By Curt Castagna
DEF is not an
additive, but is stored
in a specialized tank
on the chassis of
diesel engine vehicles
and then injected into
the engine exhaust to
help reduce noxious
emissions.
10 GROUND SUPPORT WORLDWIDE
mental mandates. When mistakenly added to jet
fuel, it may trigger the formation of crystals that
plug fuel filters and damage other engine components - potentially causing engine shutdowns.
DEF is not an additive, but is stored in a specialized tank on the chassis of diesel engine vehicles
and then injected into the engine exhaust to help
reduce noxious emissions.
Details from previous jet fuel contamination
incidents find the greatest risk is line service
personnel mistaking DEF for Fuel System Icing
Inhibitor (FSII). Since both are clear and colorless
liquids, it is nearly impossible to detect if DEF is
mistakenly added to a FSII storage tank. While
none of the recorded DEF contamination incidents
have resulted in an aircraft crash or fatalities, they
reveal the urgency of developing procedures to
take preventive action.
Recognizing that the introduction of DEF into
an aircraft fuel system is not an isolated incident
and poses serious safety risks, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has addressed the problem
in a special airworthiness information bulletin
(SAIB HQ-18-28) and safety alert for operators
(SAFO 18015). In addition, the National Air
Transportation Association (NATA) offers DEF
Contamination Prevention training coursework
through its Safety 1st Supplemental Safety Training Program free of charge to those,
particularly employees of fixed-base
operators (FBOs) and other fuel providers, who can help prevent future
incidents. NATA offers the following
best practices to reduce the risk of aircraft misfueling with DEF.
Storage of Aviation Fuel
Additives
* DEF and other fluids, oils and chemicals shall be stored in a separate
location from FSII (FSII, Prist, Dice,
DiEGME) and other aviation fuel
additives.
APRIL 2020
Ground Support Worldwide
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ground Support Worldwide
Business Buzz
Industry Expert Column: FBO - The Accelerating Danger of Diesel Exhaust Fluid Contamination
Know the Rules
How the Industry is Charting a Course for Cargo Handlers
An Analytical Approach to Ground Damage
Stay Ahead of the Weather
A Reel Solution for PCA Hose Storage
Product Hangar
Editor's Note: An Industry in Need of Support
Ground Support Worldwide - 1
Ground Support Worldwide - 2
Ground Support Worldwide - 3
Ground Support Worldwide - 4
Ground Support Worldwide - Business Buzz
Ground Support Worldwide - 6
Ground Support Worldwide - 7
Ground Support Worldwide - 8
Ground Support Worldwide - 9
Ground Support Worldwide - Industry Expert Column: FBO - The Accelerating Danger of Diesel Exhaust Fluid Contamination
Ground Support Worldwide - 11
Ground Support Worldwide - Know the Rules
Ground Support Worldwide - 13
Ground Support Worldwide - 14
Ground Support Worldwide - 15
Ground Support Worldwide - 16
Ground Support Worldwide - 17
Ground Support Worldwide - 18
Ground Support Worldwide - 19
Ground Support Worldwide - How the Industry is Charting a Course for Cargo Handlers
Ground Support Worldwide - 21
Ground Support Worldwide - 22
Ground Support Worldwide - An Analytical Approach to Ground Damage
Ground Support Worldwide - 24
Ground Support Worldwide - 25
Ground Support Worldwide - Stay Ahead of the Weather
Ground Support Worldwide - 27
Ground Support Worldwide - 28
Ground Support Worldwide - 29
Ground Support Worldwide - 30
Ground Support Worldwide - 31
Ground Support Worldwide - A Reel Solution for PCA Hose Storage
Ground Support Worldwide - 33
Ground Support Worldwide - Product Hangar
Ground Support Worldwide - 35
Ground Support Worldwide - 36
Ground Support Worldwide - 37
Ground Support Worldwide - 38
Ground Support Worldwide - 39
Ground Support Worldwide - 40
Ground Support Worldwide - 41
Ground Support Worldwide - Editor's Note: An Industry in Need of Support
Ground Support Worldwide - 43
Ground Support Worldwide - 44
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