This month we discuss Dassault Falcon maintenance and repair and all the ways SEAL Aviation can make your next repair easy and fast. Our expert Fuel Leak Repair Team has experience with complex tasks such as wing de-mates or tank and planks as well small tasks such as wing panel fastener leak repairs.

The article titled "Microbiologically Induced Corrosion in Wing Fuel Tanks" appeared in the April 2020 issue of The Gulfstream Journal and details how MIC has the ability to progress quickly leading to expensive wing repairs. If left unchecked Microbiologically Induced Corrosion can cause damage such as pitting on hi-locks and the wing structure. Gulfstream states that routine microbial contamination testing and consistent draining of the aircraft fuel tanks is key to maintaining a healthy fuel system. SEAL Aviation can perform an inspection of your fuel tanks to determine if your Gulfstream is experiencing the presence of corrosion due to Microbiologically Induced Corrosion. SEAL Aviation can also help you test for microbial contamination to ensure your fuel system remains healthy.

The pages from The Gulfstream Journal April 2020 issue can be viewed or downloaded below.

When an airplane begins leaking fuel, many things may be going through the mind of the operator or owner. Many aviation maintenance professionals know that where you see the leak occurring is most likely not the origin of the leak. The leak needs to be traced back to the point from the outside of the tank to the inside of the tank to correctly fix the problem and prevent it from leaking in the future. For this job, we started at the point where the leak was identified and worked our way backwards. The first step is to accurately identify the location where the fuel leak is leaking on the exterior part of the fuel tank. Defuel the tank to allow positive pressure in the fuel system. Then next step is to pinpoint the fuel leak on the exterior by using soapy water and controlled air pressure to the fuel system to pinpoint the exit point of the fuel leak.

This picture was taken from the inside of the tank before the test. This area looked suspect due to the degraded sealant so particular attention was paid to this area.

The next step is to open the fuel tank in the suspect area and blow compressed air on the exterior exit point and while applying soapy water on the inner area of suspect area of the fuel tank while looking for bubbles, which indicate the interior location of the fuel leak. Next, we remove the all old sealant without damaging the structure until the aluminum surface is exposed. At this point we can reseal with proper sealant.  Fuel leak fixed!

SEAL Aviation performs Aircraft Fuel Leak Repair, Non-Destructive Testing and Airframe Structural Repairs anywhere in the world. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale Florida adjacent to the FLL international airport, SEAL Aviation is an FAA, EASA and Mexico certified repair station.

SEAL Aviation repairs aircraft fuel leaks, performs NDT and structural repairs on a classic World War II era aircraft. Aircraft this special require an unparalleled level of trust. Visit our Unique Airacrft page to find out why we are positioned to meet the challenges posed by vintage and classic aircraft.

During the period between November 18 and November 21, 2017, seven airplanes with civilian
registry identified in Appendix 1 were serviced with jet fuel containing DEF at Eppley Air Field
Airport, Omaha, Nebraska (KOMA). During the same time period, an additional six airplanes
identified in Appendix 2 were serviced using refueling equipment that had been exposed to DEF.
The DEF was inadvertently used instead of fuel system icing inhibitor (FSII) on two refueling trucks
at KOMA and injected into the fuel with each truck’s FSII injection system. Only those airplanes
identified in Appendix 1 received the contaminated fuel, and only those airplanes identified in
Appendix 2 were serviced with refueling equipment that had been exposed to DEF.

DEF is a urea-based chemical that is not approved for use in jet fuel. When mixed with jet fuel,
DEF will react with certain jet fuel chemical components to form crystalline deposits in the fuel
system. These deposits will flow through the aircraft fuel system and may accumulate on filters,
fuel metering components, other fuel system components, or engine fuel nozzles. The deposits may
also settle in the fuel tanks or other areas of the aircraft fuel system where they may potentially
become dislodged over time and accumulate downstream in the fuel system as described above.
Airplanes identified in Appendix 1 have experienced clogged fuel filters and fuel nozzle deposits
that led to service difficulties and unplanned diversions. Airplanes identified in Appendix 2 were
exposed to trace amounts of DEF from residual fuel remaining in the refueling hoses and equipment
and we have not received any service difficulty reports from these aircraft.

Read more below by downloading the full PDF.