RV-10 Accident - Page 11

RVbySDI · #**101** 05-11-2010, 09:51 AM

Todd,
I am so glad to hear that you and your daughter are recovering from this incident.

I have discussed many times with my good friend, who has helped me over the years on my build, about the fact that I did not like the fuel lines routing in my 9A. Every time he and I would look at the spiderweb of fuel lines running to the selector valve, fuel filter, boost pump, manifold, pressure sender units and all the 21 fittings I have inside the cockpit I cringe to think what would happen if a leak developed. I am not happy at all with this setup and never have been. This incident just reinforces my dislike for this setup.

I have been thinking for about two years now on what I could change to make my airplane safer in regards to removing fuel from the cockpit. It is something I am going to take seriously and think long and hard on in order to figure out what to do with my setup. All I know is I have never liked this setup. Now we have a first hand account of the fuel in the cockpit creating a build up of vapors that caused an explosion during normal operations. By the grace of God Todd and his daughter were able to walk away from this incident. This catastrophe did not take any lives but it very easily could have.

Todd, I would be very interested in hearing your ideas of what you would like to do to get the fuel lines out of the cockpit. I have thought long and hard on it myself for my airplane but until now I told myself "just get the airplane flying and deal with it afterward". Now I am not so sure I am willing to take that risk.

szicree · #**102** 05-11-2010, 10:15 AM

I vote for drain holes that are checked at preflight and no sources of ignition. That's all that's required to avoid this type of accident, so let's don't overthink it.

L.Adamson · #**103** 05-11-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

I have discussed many times with my good friend, who has helped me over the years on my build, about the fact that I did not like the fuel lines routing in my 9A. Every time he and I would look at the spiderweb of fuel lines running to the selector valve, fuel filter, boost pump, manifold, pressure sender units and all the 21 fittings I have inside the cockpit I cringe to think what would happen if a leak developed. I am not happy at all with this setup and never have been. This incident just reinforces my dislike for this setup.

I suppose that one of the advantages of my military type cockpit (meaning .... not a lot of upholstery), is that I can see most of the fuel lines, including the point at which they enter the cockpit area from the wing tanks. In my "six", the lines run down the left side, instead of the middle.

I know that any problem downstream of the selector valve can be shutoff with the valve. I also carry some small pliers in the glove box. In a worst case, I can crimp the aluminum line where it enters the cockpit from the wing area. If I ever smell fuel, I certainly be looking. Under normal circumstances, there has never been a fuel oder in my cockpit.

L.Adamson ---- RV6A

DEWATSON · #**104** 05-11-2010, 10:46 AM

Todd,

I met you at 2J9 several months ago when you delivered a pair of coon hounds to a Gadsden County resident. I took a look at your RV10 and was very impressed with it. I'm a Chevrolet small block fan from way back. I wish I had asked to see the engine. Anyway, the airplane was just beautiful. I'm so sorry it ended life the way it did but I am so happy and thankful to the good Lord that you and your daughter are going to be fine. If there is ever anything I can do to help you, please let me know. I am so happy that you're here to read my offer. Things could have been much worse. Take it easy and heal up. You've got to build another one now.

David Watson
49FD

Mike S · #**105** 05-11-2010, 10:52 AM

In an attempt to head off the thread drift I see looming on the near horizon, I have started a new thread to discuss the fuel systems in our planes, and throw out ideas for changes/upgrades etc.

Please use this thread for the fuel system comments, and keep this one for well wishes/prayers etc, and status reports on Todd and his daughter.

Thanks.

RVbySDI · #**106** 05-11-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike S

In an attempt to head off the thread drift I see looming on the near horizon, I have started a new thread to discuss the fuel systems in our planes, and throw out ideas for changes/upgrades etc.

Please use this thread for the fuel system comments, and keep this one for well wishes/prayers etc, and status reports on Todd and his daughter.

Thanks.

Mike, feel free to move my post to that thread if you feel it appropriate.

szicree · #**107** 05-11-2010, 11:21 AM

Its worth noting that our sense of smell works well at detecting new smells, but poorly at picking up scents that have been present for a while. A small leak sort of sneaks up on our noses and goes undetected. Often we're unaware of an odor until we leave the environment and then return. For this reason, I wouldn't trust my nose except perhaps when I first enter the plane.

TSwezey · #**108** 05-11-2010, 01:44 PM

My fire or should I say explosion was a vapor explosion. It was fast and the majority of the fire was over in five seconds. If I was in full clothing I would have been completely unharmed except for my hands and head. You should see the clothes I was wearing not a thing wrong with them. I mean nothing! The shoes having nothing wrong with them either. The initial flash was where the heat came from and the fire was short lived. I don't know about the halon. I have been in a halon blast and it can be pretty painful on the lungs. I almost bought a Nomex suit at Sun-n-Fun. I will probably buy one and the gloves.

jsherblon · #**109** 05-11-2010, 02:42 PM

Todd, thanks for sharing your story. There are lessons for all of us.

Praying for a speedy recovery for both of you.

Rick6a · #**110** 05-12-2010, 09:07 AM

Todd,

This event was completely unknown to me until a few minutes ago. I typically ignore reading about accidents on VAF because some people can't resist being the first breathless poster to announce bad news then the discussion that follows has been known to quickly devolve into a tasteless exercise filled with idle speculation and second guessing. But in this unusual case, I noticed a record view count exceeding 22,000 and I had to see what the interest continues to be about. Wow. Yours is an incident well worth reflecting upon. Your first hand account is an extremely valuable lesson all of us can learn from. I am especially heartened your daughter and you escaped an event that could have very easily proved lethal. By extension, your experience not only gives us hope for the seemingly miraculous, but the chances are excellent some unknown beneficiary will survive serious mishap because of the knowledge you have chosen to freely share with us. Thank you. I am sorry for the loss of your airplane yet the health and well-being of your daughter and you is incalculably more desirable. As a builder/pilot, whatever you decide to do as you pick up the pieces and move forward is a real blessing because the capacity for you to make choices continues to remain intact. I'm certain your daughter and you now share an extra special bond that only witnesses and survivors of disaster can ever truly understand. The rest of your lives lay before you. Take care and be well, my friend.