How to Avoid Fuel Contamination
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) reported a recent incident of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) contaminating jet fuel at a U.S.-based FBO.
According to NATA officials, the contaminated fuel caused an aircraft to lose both engines and required the pilot to make a dead-stick landing approximately 280 miles way.
Since 2017, five reported incidents of DEF contamination of jet fuel have resulted in multiple in-flight engine failures and significant damage to aircraft fuel systems and engines. Fortunately, these incidents have not resulted in a crash, but NATA officials urge all fueling providers to take steps to eliminate the risk of fuel contamination.
FBOs and aircraft operators must be diligent in ensuring staff are properly trained and making sure all company policies and procedures are used to prevent possible fuel contamination, NATA officials note.
To help eliminate the risk of fueling contamination, the NATA provided answers to frequently asked questions.
What should I do if I believe that jet fuel has been contaminated with DEF?
Discard any jet fuel that has been removed from an affected aircraft because it is suspected of being contaminated with DEF and immediately quarantine the mobile refueler used to refuel the aircraft. The contaminated fuel should not be used on aircraft or other vehicles. NATA recommends that all FBOs and other aviation fuel providers work with their fuel distributor to develop a response protocol to aviation fuel contamination incidents. Such a protocol should include the training needs for FBO staff.
What is diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and what is it used for?
DEF is a urea and water-based fluid required by federal regulations to be used in the emission reduction systems of modern diesel engine vehicles. DEF is NOT a fuel additive, aviation or otherwise. It is a clear liquid, stored in a specialized tank on the chassis of diesel engine vehicles, that is then injected into the engine exhaust to promote reduction of noxious emissions.
How does DEF get into jet fuel?
Details of the latest incident are still pending, but the identified risk for previous incidents involved FBO personnel mistaking DEF for Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII) and adding DEF to the FSII storage tanks on mobile refuelers. DEF and FSII are both clear, colorless liquids, and if DEF is mistakenly added to a FSII storage tank, contamination is impossible to detect without a DEF in FSII Test Kit.
What happens when DEF contaminated jet fuel is delivered to aircraft?
The urea in DEF reacts with jet fuel to form crystalline deposits. These deposits then flow through the aircraft fuel system and accumulate on fuel filters and other fuel system components, which has led to inflight engine shutdowns.
Has there been any guidance from the FAA on the issue of DEF contamination?
Yes. The following links provide more information:
What can FBOs and other fuel providers do to reduce the risk of DEF contamination?
In addition to the above guidance offered by the FAA, NATA recommends FBOs and other fuel providers reference the Safety 1st Operational Best Practice Preventing Contamination of FSII with DEF or any Other Product and the Energy Institute’s EI 1538 Handling of Fuel System Icing Inhibitor and Aviation Fuel Containing Fuel System Icing Inhibitor at Airports. Both resources and additional information are available at NATA’s dedicated Preventing FSII Contamination with DEF resource page. NATA also offers training on preventing contamination of FSII with DEF via the Safety 1st Training Center.
How can my team access NATA Safety 1st training on preventing FSII contamination with DEF?
Companies that currently use the NATA Safety 1st Training Center can simply assign the F008-DEF Contamination Prevention training to their students as they would any other Safety 1st course. Companies that do not subscribe to NATA Safety 1st Training Center can contact NATA here for complimentary access to NATA’s DEF Contamination Prevention training.
Is there a way to test for DEF Contamination in FSII?
Yes. DEF in FSII Test Kits are available from Gammon Technical Products.
