Fuel systems, mundane but crucial

 The fuel system is probably one of the most lack luster systems for people when you think about aircraft. Yet, it is also a crucial system that requires its due diligence and fundamental understanding of operation. A failure in the fuel system can cause many different issues. One I would like to address is that of biological contamination in an aircraft fuel tank. Being from the aviation community, I have seen on multiple occasions a very carefree attitude towards fuel contamination. 

Contamination of a fuel tank can lead to multiple failures of systems as fuel drawn from that tank can cause breakdowns of materials in engine systems such as seals and filters. If not addressed soon enough contamination can lead to clogging of pipes, filters and fuel ports, ultimately causing engine failure and starvation. I have seen aircraft that are sitting for more intensive maintenance be improperly checked by maintenance personnel, one such instance led to a mold of some sort impacting a fuel tank to the point it spread into the engine destroying multiple fuel filters and almost completely clogging the fuel line into a portside engine. The lack of professionalism caused the aircraft to be down for a longer period of time costing time and money. An engine failure is huge as engines power aircraft systems and maintain flight. Having a clogged or starved engine shutdown can be devastating, all the more so if you are in a single engine aircraft. 

As, such, proper drawing and inspections of fuel are imperative. Also, make sure filters are changed when they need to be, filters do eventually breakdown or clog to become less efficient as time and flight hours increase. Aircraft procedures and regulations often come from an incident involving loss of life or close calls. Complacency kills, just because something "never happens" or "hasn't happened to you" does not mean it can't or won't happen. All it takes is one time.

One such incident of fuel contamination occurred in 2010 and very nearly resulted in loss of life. Due to pure luck, a stall of both engines happened when close enough to make an emergency landing though it took almost the entire runway to stop. 

Report: contaminated fuel causes A330 engine control problems and emergency landing at Hong Kong (2013, September 17) Aviation Safety Network

https://news.aviation-safety.net/2013/09/17/report-contaminated-fuel-causes-a330-engine-problems-and-emergency-landing-at-hong-kong/