Accession Number:

ADA063816

Title:

Tests of Crash-Resistant Fuel System for General Aviation Aircraft

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Feb 1976-Jul 1978

Corporate Author:

NATIONAL AVIATION FACILITIES EXPERIMENTAL CENTER ATLANTIC CITY NJ

Personal Author(s):

• Perrella, Jr, William M.

Report Date:

1978-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

39.0

Abstract:

A significant percentage of general aviation aircraft accidents result in postcrash fires due to the ignition of fuel spillage, often contributing injury or death to the aircraft occupants. Testing was performed to demonstrate the performance of light-weight, flexible, crash-resistant fuel cells combined with the use of frangible fuel line couplings. Included in these tests were four full-scale crash tests of a typical light twin aircraft. In three tests, the crash-resistant fuel system performed satisfactorily. The fourth and final test, where the lightest weight tanks were used, resulted in tank failures and demonstrated a possible lower strength limit to the tank material.

Descriptors:

• *CRASH RESISTANCE
• *FUEL CELLS
• *AVIATION ACCIDENTS
• *FUEL TANKS
• IGNITION
• AVIATION SAFETY
• AIRCRAFT FIRES
• SPILLING
• FLEXIBLE STRUCTURES
• COUPLINGS
• CASUALTIES
• LIGHTWEIGHT
• FUEL LINES
• TEST METHODS
• STRENGTH(MECHANICS)

Subject Categories:

• Electric Power Production and Distribution
• Fuels

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE