Cessna pilots urged to check for water in fuel

The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a reminder to Cessna 100-, 200-, and 300-series pilots to thoroughly scrutinise their fuel samples for water before every flight.

The FAA made the announcement last week in a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, saying that all pilots, owners, operators, maintenance, and service personnel of these type of aircraft should assume some water exists in the fuel tank system. The FAA says that the issuing of the bulletin stems from recent safety information on Cessna 150, 170, and 172-series airplanes that led to a re-examination of how to better circumvent incidents caused by water contaminated fuel.

The FAA bulletin advises that owners should ensure that any Cessna 100-, 200-, and 300-series aircraft they operate have plenty of drains at various locations, and that they be checked prior to every flight by taking at least one cup of fuel from each location.

The FAA also advises that fuel filler caps should be the raised umbrella-style type that shed water, and aircraft should be stored indoors when possible. Pilots should keep the tanks full, know their fuel suppliers and monitor the fueling procedures.

While the FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin offers guidance to pilots, compliance isn’t mandatory. Read the FAA bulletin in its entirety by clicking here.