There have been several incidents of fuel tank explosion on commercial transport airplanes, which in some cases, have resulted in loss of lives and aircraft. Experts predict that fuel tank explosions on commercial airplanes could escalate due to increased number of electrically operated components inside fuel tanks, such as booster pumps, quantity probes, level sensors, fuel valves, etc. The U.S Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states that in order to reduce the risk of fuel tank explosion on large transport aircrafts, any internal or external ignition source inside fuel tanks must be eliminated. When heat or a spark of sufficient energy comes into contact with fuel and oxygen, the result will be fire or explosion. Fuel leakage onto hot surfaces such as engine, APU, brakes, wheels, electrical fuel pump, hydraulic pumps, etc., may also result into fire and consequently fuel tank explosion.
The aim of this paper is to present a technique, which can be used on large transport airplanes, to detect fuel leak in fuel tanks before aircraft departure. Fuel leaks could lead to fuel tank explosion, and consequently could result in loss of aircraft and lives. Clearly, it is very important for any fuel tank leakage to be identified and repaired before takeoff.
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