Ultralight aircraft safety advisory - fuel tank vent can cause an
engine failure.
Aircraft:
All ultralight aircraft using marine tanks for fuel.
Problem area:
Fuel tanks
Incident report:
Several ultralight pilots using marine tanks have reported loss of power after several
minutes of flying, generally during initial climb out to altitude. Upon closer examination
it was found that the breather vent to the tank had either vibrated closed or had been
closed prior to flight. Also there are two kinds of tanks one that is pressurized and one
the isn't.
Suggestions:
Drill a small hole in the handle of the tank allowing air to enter even if the vent cap is
closed. Also make sure that the tank you are using isn't of the pressurized type.
If you are using this type of
marine fuel tank, or any fuel tank that has a screw on vent, make
sure that the gas tank has a vent hole that cannot block off during
flight.
A simple solution is to drill a hole in the tank handle so that even
if the vent does vibrate shut the tank is still able to vent.
If this vent vibrates shut it will
cause the engine to fail. The vent allows fuel pump to be from
the tank, without the vent it can't do this and thus cannot supply
fuel to the carburator.
Think of draining a 5 gallon gas can with the
vent closed, you are able to do it for a few seconds and then it
stops until it can get some more air.
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