What are the steps to take if a bad sample of fuel is collected?

The appropriate course of action when a bad sample of fuel is collected is to retain the bad sample and notify maintenance. This procedure is critical for several reasons.

First, retaining the bad sample is essential for proper analysis. Maintenance personnel can examine the fuel sample to determine the exact issue, whether it's contamination, water presence, or another problem. By keeping the sample, valuable information is preserved, which can help identify the source of the contamination and prevent similar issues in the future.

Secondly, notifying maintenance is important as they have the expertise and authority to assess the situation comprehensively. They can take the necessary steps to ensure that the refueling procedure is safe, which may involve further testing or draining contaminated fuel from the aircraft fuel tanks.

This approach helps maintain safety and operational readiness and prevents potentially catastrophic incidents caused by using contaminated fuel, making it a critical protocol in aircraft maintenance and operations.