Contaminated Fuel Causes Engine Failures Print

Aero Commander lands short of runwayA 1971 Aero Commander was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after take-off from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut on July 18, 2010.

After both engines quit, the pilot attempted to return to the airport, but had to settle for a forced landing on the tundra a short distance from the runway.

The Canadian Transportation Safety Board published the report on the incident recently. The report cites fuel contamination as the cause of the engine failures.  It appears that one of two drums pumped into the plane was from a 'slop' drum, containing waste jet fuel among other things.  It is a good lesson in making SURE you've got good fuel.  Here's the CBC story on the report. A copy of the full TSB report is available here.

Last Updated on Friday, 18 March 2011 20:55