DOC AIRBUS | AMM A320FStructural Fuel Leaks - Analysis of the Route, Location of the Source and the Identification of Applicable Leak Tests
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
This procedure is only applicable for aircraft structure, it is not applicable to fuel system components.
To do an analysis of the route of a fuel leak. To find the source of the leak and to give the different fuel-leak detection procedures.
2. Job Set-up Information
A. Referenced Information
3. Job Set-up
Subtask 28-11-00-941-115-A
Subtask 28-11-00-790-088-A
[Rev.10 from 2021]
2026.04.01 00:01:07 UTC
Structural Fuel Leaks - Analysis of the Route, Location of the Source and the Identification of Applicable Leak Tests
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 aircraft structure, it is not applicable to fuel system components.
To do an analysis of the route of a fuel leak. To find the source of the leak and to give the different fuel-leak detection procedures.
2. Job Set-up Information
A. Referenced Information
| REFERENCE | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|
| TASK 28-00-00-910-001-A | Fuel Safety Procedures |
| TASK 28-11-00-790-001-A | Leak Test with Fuel of the Wing-Tank Outer-Cell |
| TASK 28-11-00-790-002-A | Leak Test with Fuel of the Wing-Tank Outer and Inner Cells |
| TASK 28-11-00-790-003-A | Leak Test of the Center Tank |
| TASK 28-11-00-790-004-A | Leak Test with Fuel of the Vent Surge Tank |
| TASK 28-11-00-790-005-A | Leak Test of the Wing Tanks and Vent Surge Tank (without Fuel) by the Local Blowing Procedure |
| TASK 28-11-00-790-006-A | Leak Test of the Wing Tanks and Vent Surge Tank (without Fuel) by the Vacuum and Dye Procedure |
| TASK 28-11-00-790-007-A | Leak Test of the Left Wing and Vent Surge Tanks and the Center Tank (without Fuel) by the Vacuum and Dye Procedure |
| TASK 28-11-00-790-008-A | Leak Test with Fuel of the Wing Tank |
| TASK 28-11-00-790-009-A | Leak Test of the Fuel Tanks - Without Fuel - Helium Procedure |
Subtask 28-11-00-941-115-A
A. Safety Precautions
Subtask 28-11-00-210-063-A WARNING:
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). B. Causes of Fuel Leaks
(1) The general causes of fuel leaks are:
(4) For all other causes of fuel leaks, continue with this procedure.
4. Procedure(1) The general causes of fuel leaks are:
- damaged or loose fasteners
- failed or damaged internal sealant
- sealant incorrectly mixed
- sealant incorrectly applied
- damage of the structure
- damaged seals or O-rings
- incorrect installation of components.
- do the removal/installation procedure for the applicable component again.
(4) For all other causes of fuel leaks, continue with this procedure.
Subtask 28-11-00-790-088-A
A. Fuel Leak Route Analysis
(1) You must find the exact location of the fuel leak on the outer surface of the fuel tank. When you find the location of the leak, you can make a decision for the most applicable leak test.
(2) The point on the outer surface where fuel leakage occurs can be some distance from the source of the fuel leak inside the fuel tank. You must monitor all of the possible leakage flow directions between the external and the internal leak points.
(3) When the fuel leaks through a seal, an O-ring or the sealant, the space between the adjacent surfaces (which makes an overlap) becomes a wet area. The wet area extends in all directions until stopped at a seal.
(4) Make an analysis of the fuel tank structure and the sealant to help you find the route of the leak.
(5) The fuel will leak through at the point of least resistance. If you seal this point, the fuel will leak through the next point of least resistance. You can do this step again and again to find the route of the leak (from its exit point on the external surface to its source in the tank).
Subtask 28-11-00-790-089-B ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL (1) You must find the exact location of the fuel leak on the outer surface of the fuel tank. When you find the location of the leak, you can make a decision for the most applicable leak test.
(2) The point on the outer surface where fuel leakage occurs can be some distance from the source of the fuel leak inside the fuel tank. You must monitor all of the possible leakage flow directions between the external and the internal leak points.
(3) When the fuel leaks through a seal, an O-ring or the sealant, the space between the adjacent surfaces (which makes an overlap) becomes a wet area. The wet area extends in all directions until stopped at a seal.
(4) Make an analysis of the fuel tank structure and the sealant to help you find the route of the leak.
(5) The fuel will leak through at the point of least resistance. If you seal this point, the fuel will leak through the next point of least resistance. You can do this step again and again to find the route of the leak (from its exit point on the external surface to its source in the tank).
B. Fuel Leak Detection Procedures
(1) You can use different procedures to help you find the fuel leaks. Some of these procedures will require you to refuel the aircraft/tank first and some you can do without fuel.
(2) To decide which leak test is most applicable to your aircraft, consider:
(a) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - wing tank outer cell (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-001) .
(b) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - wing tank outer and inner cells (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-002).
(c) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - center tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-003).
(d) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-004).
(e) Test for internal leaks with local blowing and bubble solution - wing tanks and vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-005).
(f) Test for internal leaks with vacuum and dye procedure - wing tanks and vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-006).
(g) Test for external leaks with vacuum and dye procedure - LH wing and vent surge tank and center tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-007).
(h) Test for internal leaks with helium procedure - fuel tanks (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-009).
Subtask 28-11-00-790-089-C ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL (1) You can use different procedures to help you find the fuel leaks. Some of these procedures will require you to refuel the aircraft/tank first and some you can do without fuel.
(2) To decide which leak test is most applicable to your aircraft, consider:
- its location
- its configuration
- available conditions
- available equipment.
(a) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - wing tank outer cell (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-001) .
(b) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - wing tank outer and inner cells (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-002).
(c) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - center tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-003).
(d) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-004).
(e) Test for internal leaks with local blowing and bubble solution - wing tanks and vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-005).
(f) Test for internal leaks with vacuum and dye procedure - wing tanks and vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-006).
(g) Test for external leaks with vacuum and dye procedure - LH wing and vent surge tank and center tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-007).
(h) Test for internal leaks with helium procedure - fuel tanks (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-009).
B. Fuel Leak Detection Procedures
(1) You can use different procedures to help you find the fuel leaks. Some of these procedures will require you to refuel the aircraft/tank first and some you can do without fuel.
(2) To decide which leak test is most applicable to your aircraft, consider:
(a) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - wing tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-008).
(b) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - center tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-003).
(c) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-004).
(d) Test for internal leaks with local blowing and bubble solution - wing tanks and vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-005).
(e) Test for internal leaks with vacuum and dye procedure - wing tanks and vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-006).
(f) Test for internal leaks with vacuum and dye procedure - LH wing and vent surge tank and center tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-007).
(g) Test for internal leaks with helium procedure - fuel tanks (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-009).
(1) You can use different procedures to help you find the fuel leaks. Some of these procedures will require you to refuel the aircraft/tank first and some you can do without fuel.
(2) To decide which leak test is most applicable to your aircraft, consider:
- its location
- its configuration
- available conditions
- available equipment.
(a) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - wing tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-008).
(b) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - center tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-003).
(c) Test for external leaks with fuel and talcum powder - vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-004).
(d) Test for internal leaks with local blowing and bubble solution - wing tanks and vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-005).
(e) Test for internal leaks with vacuum and dye procedure - wing tanks and vent surge tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-006).
(f) Test for internal leaks with vacuum and dye procedure - LH wing and vent surge tank and center tank (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-007).
(g) Test for internal leaks with helium procedure - fuel tanks (Ref. AMM TASK 28-11-00-790-009).