Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Subject tractor
The operator of a tractor suffered burn injuries. The operator claimed that the burns resulted from the ignition of gasoline that had been discharged from the tractor’s fuel tank filler neck while he had been operating the tractor, and the gasoline discharge had been a result of the use of an unvented fuel tank cap. The operator claimed he was sprayed with a “geyser” of gasoline discharge. Omnitek Engineering, Inc.’s assignment was to assist in evaluating the operator’s conclusions regarding the cause(s) of the incident.
Examination and testing was conducted to investigate the burning characteristics of ignited gasoline vapors at the fuel filler neck opening of the exemplar fuel tank. The ignited gasoline vapors burned for a short time and self-extinguished. The flames extended approximately one to three inches above the filler neck.
Operation of the exemplar tractor did not result in the internal fuel tank liquid gasoline temperature exceeding approximately 90°F. Removal of the fuel cap at the conclusion of operation was found to relieve any fuel tank internal pressure, with no discharge of gasoline from the fuel filler neck. There was no evidence found that either the fuel cap or fuel tank had been subjected to an excessive internal pressure, or that the fuel tank cap had been expelled from the fuel tank filler neck by excessive pressure in the fuel tank.
The first witness to view the tractor after the incident stated the tractor fuel cap had been on the hood of the tractor. All testing of the cap in an unlocked position during operation resulted in the cap being on the ground and rearward of the tractor. The cap was found to not remain on the hood of the tractor when placed on the hood with the engine in operation.
Omnitek Engineering, Inc. concluded that the operation of the tractor at the time of the incident, as described by the operator, would not result in the discharge of gasoline from the fuel tank filler neck opening, and also would not result in the fuel tank filler cap being found on the tractor hood.
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