Anderson Ed wrote:

For Peter Cowan

Pete below is my account of the incident.  Conclusion from folks that
know more than I is that any flowing fluid (air, gasoline) generates a
static charge.  Some recent information in Sports Aviation (EAA Mag)
about voltage test verifies this.  I apparently broke contact between
the container and the funnel I was using while pouring permitting a
potential difference between the container and funnel to develop which
eventually resulted in a static discharge and what followed:

The day was 60 OAT, a slight breeze, and humidity I estimate was around
78%.  It was not one of those days where you get static electricity
being generated by walking across the rug, brushing the cat.

But, here is the account of the incident and why I don't carry auto gas
to the airport anymore:

Subject:
             RV-List: Hot Time
        Date:
             Mon, 05 Jan 1998 11:19:28 -0500
       From:
             "Anderson Ed" <anderson_ed@bah.com>

Am sending this to the entire RV-List even though it is a little on the
long side as I believe others can benefit from the following experience.

I had a rather exciting experience that occurred while refueling my
RV-6A.  I have a Mazda 13B as a power plant using auto fuel.  Not having
auto fuel at the airport, I have been transporting it in a 5 gallon
plastic container (approved for auto fuel) and using a funnel to pour
the gasoline into the wing tank. Sensitive to the risks of static
electricity, I always "grounded" (I know - I question whether you can
truly "ground" a plastic container) the plastic container against the
airframe prior to pouring in the gasoline. I have refuel the aircraft
many times before using this method (as well numerous lawn mowers, weed
wackers, etc).  I had hauled the aircraft out of the hangar and had it
sitting in the middle of the tarmac in front of the hanger and had
commenced to refuel.

Well, this time it happened.  As I was approximately half-way through
pouring from the five gallon container into the funnel (the plastic
funnel is a very wide mouth with a filter cartridge in its center- used
to quickly fill race cars) the fireworks started.  The gasoline ignited
with a "Swoosh" and I found myself holding a flaming funnel as well as
the five gallon container which had flames coming from its opening.

Needless to say, things got very exciting and busy in a hurry.  As I
reacted to the flames going off, I swung the container away ,which was
in my right hand, removed the flaming funnel from the wing tank opening
with my left hand.  In the process, I sloshed some flaming gasoline onto
the wing and tarmac.  And flames were now also coming from the opening
of the wing tank.  So by quick count, I had flames coming out of the
wing tank, some burning on the wing, a patch burning on the tarmac, a
flaming funnel as well as the 5 gallon container on fire.  Did I say
things got exciting in a hurry?  I immediately move the flaming
container about 12-15 feet away from the aircraft and set it down,
quickly move the flaming funnel about 5 feet from the container and laid
it down..  Immediately dashed to the plane and placed the fuel cap into
the tank opening stuffing out that fire, smothered the fire on the wing,
ran back to the container and placed its lid on the flaming opening
smothering that fire, moved the still flaming funnel further away,
smother the fire on the tarmac and then returned to smother the funnel.

Finally, all fires are extinguished and I take time for a breath.
Wasn't timing myself as I was somewhat distracted at the moment, but
believe the entire event from ignition to all flames out was around
30-45 seconds (could be wrong about the time, but not by much).  Old men
can move quickly if motivated properly.

Yes, I did have a fire extinguisher, but had neglected to take it out of
the car and when I ran to the car and reached under the drivers seat -
IT was NOT there (Later found it under the passengers seat).   I
also have a small Halon fire extinguisher mounted between the seats of
aircraft - but, again distance and flames were between it and me.
Won't make that mistake again. Also, I will never use a plastic
container again, but will use a metal one with a little cable attached
that I can ground to the aircraft.  I will also not use a plastic
funnel, but
will probably use one of the rotary pumps with hose and nozzle grounded.

So the good news is no damage to me or the aircraft and a much wiser me.
So, while it had not ever happened before, I quickly found out that one
time is one time too many.

For your consideration

Regards

Ed

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