Airplane Fuel System

     There are many aircraft systems that work together to allow an aircraft to work, and one the the most vital systems is the fuel system. The fuel system is the base system that allows the aircraft to function properly by providing fuel for the engine and the fuel to charge the electrical systems. The fuel system is fairly simple in concept. The systems are either gravity or fuel pump driven depending on the kind of system in place, and flows from the tanks into the fuel lines.

Note. by:Illo Concept Idea, 2019 [illustration]

As the fuel travels through the lines, it will pass through a fuel strainer prior to reaching the engine in order to "collect water and any other contaminants heavier than avgas" (Collins, 2019). Finally, it will pass through the carburetor and into the engine itself to be burned to generate power for the aircraft.

    A common failure of the fuel system is fuel pump failure. The failure of a fuel pump can be particularly catastrophic in low-wing aircraft, or aircraft who's fuel flow depends on their fuel pumps. Airplanes are traditionally equip with two fuel pumps: an engine driven pump (main) and an electrical pump (backup). If the main fuel pump fails, then the pilot should switch on the backup fuel pump in order to maintain positive fuel flow. However, if there is no backup fuel pump or both fail, then eventually this will lead to the engine being starved of fuel which will result in an engine failure. In this case, the pilot should find a suitable place to perform an emergency landing, and follow their aircraft's procedures for an engine failure.

References:

Collins, M. (2019, December 17). How it works: Aircraft fuel system. AOPA. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/january/flight-training-magazine/ol-how-it-works-fuel-system

Ramachandran, V., & Bhaskaran, T. A. (2005). Case 13: Failure of a Fuel Pump in an Aircraft. In Failure Analysis of Engineering Structures: Methodology and case histories. essay, ASM International.