NBAA’s safety committee will join in an industry hazard assessment on the risks associated with fuel contamination, after the August 14 incident that nearly downed a Dassault Falcon 900EX in Florida, the second such incident involving diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) contamination in less than a year.
“That will include leveraging subject matter experts and industry partners to identify hazard causes and develop targeted mitigations, as well as outreach to FBOs and fuel providers to review their fuel and additive handling practices,” said NBAA safety committee vice chair Tom Huff.
In December 2017, following the first confirmed instance of DEF-tainted fuel, which occurred in Omaha, Nebraska, NATA released a DEF contamination prevention training course through its Safety 1st Supplemental Safety Training program. It was provided free to anyone in the industry to help prevent future incidents. The FAA also issued a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB) on the matter.
"Despite that advisory, this latest incident demonstrates that while rare, these incidents do occur, and highlights the need to closely examine methods to mitigate and eliminate this potential hazard," said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.
Meanwhile, Fair Wind Air Charter, which operated the Falcon 900EX that made an emergency return to Miami Opa-Locka Airport after experiencing clogged fuel filters and engine shutdowns, is calling for aviation industry groups, lawmakers, and federal regulatory agencies to take immediate action to eliminate the risk and associated hazards tied to this type of jet fuel contamination. In hopes of facilitating necessary recommendations and actions to achieve a system-wide, long-term solution, the Florida-based company noted it has reached out to the heads of the U.S. Department of Transportation, FAA, and EPA, as well as elected officials in Congress, and industry groups such as NBAA, NATA, and AOPA.