What happened
Following an earlier accident involving a Gulfstream AA-5B Tiger, registration G-BFZR, a subsequent inspection of the aircraft was conducted by a maintenance organisation. This investigation focused on the hardware installed on the aircraft's left wing following the event that occurred near Oxford Kidlington Airport.
The investigation
During the inspection, investigators identified that an incorrect type of fuel drain had been fitted to the left wing of the aircraft. While each specific drain type is marked with a unique part number visible on its exterior bottom face, this discrepancy was not identified during the preflight sampling procedures.
Technical analysis showed that the sampling holes on this specific fitting were positioned higher on the body of the component than those found on the correct part. This physical difference meant that a larger volume of fluid could remain in the wing without being captured or checked during standard preflight fuel drainage operations.
Findings
- The aircraft was fitted with a fuel drain component that did not match the required specification.
- The higher placement of the sampling holes on the incorrect fitting prevented the detection of fluid levels during checks.
- The installation of this incorrect part may have allowed significant amounts of water to remain in the fuel system, as the depth of fluid was not properly monitored during operation.