DOC AIRBUS | AMM A320FStructural Fuel Tank Leaks - General Information
TASK 28-11-00-280-002-A
Structural Fuel Tank Leaks - General Information
This procedure is only applicable for the aircraft structure.
It is not applicable to the components of the fuel system.
You can also use the SFLRF to report fuel leak data for Airbus records only. When you do this, Airbus will not send a reply to you.
2. Job Set-up Information
A. Fixtures, Tools, Test and Support Equipment
B. Consumable Materials
C. Work Zones and Access Panels
D. Referenced Information
3. Job Set-up
Subtask 28-11-00-941-116-A
Subtask 28-11-00-790-090-A
[Rev.10 from 2021]
2026.04.01 00:01:06 UTC
Structural Fuel Tank Leaks - General Information
WARNING:
BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU USE CONSUMABLE MATERIALS. OBEY THE MATERIAL MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS AND YOUR LOCAL REGULATIONS.
WARNING:
BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET AIRCRAFT FUEL IN YOUR MOUTH OR IN YOUR EYES.
IF YOU GET FUEL ON YOUR SKIN OR ON YOUR CLOTHES, FLUSH IT IMMEDIATELY WITH WATER.
IF NECESSARY, GET MEDICAL HELP.
AIRCRAFT FUEL IS POISONOUS.
1. Reason for the JobThis procedure is only applicable for the aircraft structure.
It is not applicable to the components of the fuel system.
NOTE: When you find fuel leakage, we recommend you use the STRUCTURAL FUEL LEAK REPORTING FORM (SFLRF) to keep as your record.
You must use the SFLRF when you make the decision to get Airbus analysis or support. You can also use the SFLRF to report fuel leak data for Airbus records only. When you do this, Airbus will not send a reply to you.
2. Job Set-up Information
A. Fixtures, Tools, Test and Support Equipment
| REFERENCE | QTY | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|---|
| No specific | AR | CONTAINER-FUEL RESISTANT, TRANSPARENT PLASTIC |
| No specific | 1 | RULER - STEEL |
| REFERENCE | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|
| (Material No.06LCG9) | Non Hardening Jointing Putty-Medium Temp. Area - - |
| (Material No.14SBA1) | Textile-Lint free Cotton - |
| ZONE/ACCESS | ZONE DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 190 | BELLY FAIR, AIR CONDITIONING & HYD COMPT |
| 500 | LEFT WING |
| 600 | RIGHT WING |
| REFERENCE | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|
| TASK 28-00-00-910-001-A | Fuel Safety Procedures |
| TASK 28-11-00-280-003-A | Structural Fuel Leaks - Analysis of the Route, Location of the Source and the Identification of Applicable Leak Tests |
| TASK 28-11-00-790-804-A | External Temporary Leak Test of the Dry Bay |
| SRM 517612 | |
Structural Fuel Leak Reporting FormSubtask 28-11-00-941-116-A
A. Safety Precautions
4. ProcedureWARNING:
OBEY THE FUEL SAFETY PROCEDURES.
(1) You must obey the fuel safety procedures when you do work near the fuel tanks (Ref. AMM TASK 28-00-00-910-001). Subtask 28-11-00-790-090-A
A. Analysis of the Leak Sample
(2) Use a CONTAINER-FUEL RESISTANT, TRANSPARENT PLASTIC to collect a sample of the fluid from each leak and do an analysis of each sample. If possible, you can smell the sample to try to identify the type of fluid.
Subtask 28-11-00-790-080-A NOTE: One of the properties of aircraft fuel is that it can flow easily through very small holes. Thus the parts of the aircraft structure that contain fuel tanks are sealed to prevent leaks. If the sealant in these areas is damaged or becomes defective, a fuel leak can occur. Fuel leakage from leaks can be dangerous.
(1) You must make sure that the leakage is fuel and is not a fluid from a different system. (2) Use a CONTAINER-FUEL RESISTANT, TRANSPARENT PLASTIC to collect a sample of the fluid from each leak and do an analysis of each sample. If possible, you can smell the sample to try to identify the type of fluid.
B. Analysis of the Leak Types
(1) You must do an analysis of the leakage. It can be:
(3) To identify the type of leakage that you have, you must measure the leakage after a given time:
(a) Use a clean Textile-Lint free Cotton - (Material No.14SBA1) to fully remove the leakage and to fully dry the area.
(b) Wait ten minutes and then use a RULER - STEEL to measure the distance across the wet area.
1 You have light leakage if the wet area measures 100 mm (4 in.) or less across its longest dimension.
2 You have heavy leakage if the wet area measures between 100 mm (4 in.) and 180 mm (7 in.) across its longest dimension.
3 You have continuous leakage if the wet area measures more than 180 mm (7 in.) across its longest dimension.
(4) To identify the type of leakage based on the fuel leak rate:
(a) Use a clean Textile-Lint free Cotton - (Material No.14SBA1) to fully remove the leakage and to fully dry the area.
(b) Monitor the fuel leak rate.
1 You have light leakage if the fuel leak rate is less than 1 drop/minute.
2 You have heavy leakage if the fuel leak rate is less than 2 drops/minute.
3 You have continuous leakage if the fuel leak rate is more than 2 drops/minute.
Subtask 28-11-00-790-081-D ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL (1) You must do an analysis of the leakage. It can be:
- Light leakage
- Heavy leakage
- Continuous leakage.
(3) To identify the type of leakage that you have, you must measure the leakage after a given time:
(a) Use a clean Textile-Lint free Cotton - (Material No.14SBA1) to fully remove the leakage and to fully dry the area.
(b) Wait ten minutes and then use a RULER - STEEL to measure the distance across the wet area.
1 You have light leakage if the wet area measures 100 mm (4 in.) or less across its longest dimension.
2 You have heavy leakage if the wet area measures between 100 mm (4 in.) and 180 mm (7 in.) across its longest dimension.
3 You have continuous leakage if the wet area measures more than 180 mm (7 in.) across its longest dimension.
(4) To identify the type of leakage based on the fuel leak rate:
(a) Use a clean Textile-Lint free Cotton - (Material No.14SBA1) to fully remove the leakage and to fully dry the area.
(b) Monitor the fuel leak rate.
1 You have light leakage if the fuel leak rate is less than 1 drop/minute.
2 You have heavy leakage if the fuel leak rate is less than 2 drops/minute.
3 You have continuous leakage if the fuel leak rate is more than 2 drops/minute.
C. Identify the Applicable Action for Each Leak
(2) The possible fuel leak locations are identified for each area as follows:
(a) Open areas where leakage cannot flow to a possible fire source:
Subtask 28-11-00-790-081-F ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL NOTE: It is important that you identify the related action for each leak that you find.
(1) Use the fuel-leak analysis chart to find the specified action(s) (scheduled inspection or repair) for the location and leakage type of each fuel leak. (2) The possible fuel leak locations are identified for each area as follows:
(a) Open areas where leakage cannot flow to a possible fire source:
- The top and bottom of the outer wing surfaces.
- The rear walls of the tanks.
- The front wall of each tank
- Each engine pylon
- The bottom surface of the center tank (belly)
- The MLG bay.
NOTE: For more data for fuel tank repairs, refer to the SRM 517612.
C. Identify the Applicable Action for Each Leak
(2) The possible fuel leak locations are identified for each area as follows:
(a) Open areas where leakage cannot flow to a possible fire source:
Subtask 28-11-00-790-082-A NOTE: It is important that you identify the related action for each leak that you find.
(1) Use the fuel-leak analysis chart to find the specified action(s) (scheduled inspection or repair) for the location and leakage type of each fuel leak. (2) The possible fuel leak locations are identified for each area as follows:
(a) Open areas where leakage cannot flow to a possible fire source:
- The top and bottom of the outer wing surfaces.
- The rear walls of the tanks.
- The front wall of each tank
- Each engine pylon
- The bottom surface of the center tank (belly)
- The dry bay (LH and RH wings)
- The MLG bay.
NOTE: For more data for fuel tank repairs, refer to the SRM 517612.
(3) For dry bay leaks, a temporary repair must be completed immediately. For dry bay temporary repair refer to (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-804). D. Recommended Procedures Before you do an Analysis of the Leak Path or do a Repair
(1) Before you defuel a fuel tank that has a leak, try to find all of the leaks from the fuel tank.
(2) Use Non Hardening Jointing Putty-Medium Temp. Area - - (Material No.06LCG9) to make a wall around the exit point of a leak where you have identified heavy or continuous leakage. This will help you find smaller adjacent leaks.
(3) Mark the locations of all of the fuel leaks on the outer skin.
Subtask 28-11-00-790-091-A (1) Before you defuel a fuel tank that has a leak, try to find all of the leaks from the fuel tank.
(2) Use Non Hardening Jointing Putty-Medium Temp. Area - - (Material No.06LCG9) to make a wall around the exit point of a leak where you have identified heavy or continuous leakage. This will help you find smaller adjacent leaks.
(3) Mark the locations of all of the fuel leaks on the outer skin.
E. Do the Structural Fuel - Leaks Analysis Procedure to Locate the Route and Source of each of your Leaks (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-280-003).