Australia avgas crisis update:Two months later, few planes flying after fuel contamination

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It's been two months now since a heavily computerized refinery put out a bad batck of gas that has kept thousands of planes grounded in Australia. Ever see anything on CNN, NBC, etc.?

Australia: Few planes flying after fuel contamination

It is claimed that as little as 30 per cent of the aircraft grounded by avgas contamination are back in the air.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association says many owners will not agree to use the approved cleaning procedure.

To get clearance to fly, owners need to have their aircraft flushed with detergent and water.

The association's general manager, Mike Hart, says many owners are opting instead to wait to have their planes' components replaced.

"You know experience would suggest that if you put detergent and water through an airplane it doesn't matter how carefully you try and get it out, some of that water will remain trapped...and have consequences down the line which we are starting to see such as rust," he said.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says about 600 aircraft are back flying, having been successfully cleaned using the approved method.

CASA spokesman Peter Gibson says many that remain grounded are privately owned and flown infrequently.

Mr Gibson says CASA will consider cleaning methods that do not use water, if they can be proved safe.

"If any other methods come up that anybody can show that are successful in doing it then we are very happy to consider those and okay them if that's the case," he said.

"But at the moment, on the best scientific advice we can get, you either need to replace the fuel system components or use water to clean out the contamination."

Link:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2000/02/item20000215105452_1.htm

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), February 14, 2000

Answers

Carl,
I listened to this update on radio earlier. There are mixed messages about it all. I can tell you though that our local airline has had one plane grounded since it filled up with Avgas at Essendon in early January. This is a charter plane for tourism and does the fire spotting shift. Needless to say it's not flying or available. Could be a while yet according to the owner when he was interviewed on regional TV news.

Regards from OZ

-- Pieter (zaadz@icisp.net.au), February 14, 2000.


Carl,
My unremarkable comment above is more poignant when you can appreciate that our regional air Co. boys said there were no problems at all until last week. I wonder how many others try hiding the real tale...

Regards,

-- Pieter (zaads@icisp.net.au), February 15, 2000.


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