Many aviation disasters and incidents in the past were attributed to the lapses in fuel quality control system and fuel handling
procedures by the fuel vendors and inadequacy in fuel system maintenance on the part of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME). It is not surprising to note that the causal factors of many fatal accidents were focussed to a simple but fuel quality control procedural lapses. The fuel safety and quality control
procedures are laid down by the regulatory agencies. The fuel quality control systems are well established and time proven. Despite the continuous efforts for aviation fuel safety, accidents have taken place due to non-adherence of the fuel quality control procedures and fuel handling procedures. Elaborate discussions and technical auditing with those who are associating with the fuel testing labs, refuelling and aircraft maintenance engineering shows that they are not well informed with historical factors that caused fuel related aviation disasters. In absence of such information, the people working in the system may not appreciate the relevance of fuel quality control and fuel system maintenance. The objective of this article is to emphasis the importance of fuel quality control, fuel handing procedures and fuel system maintenance. Firstly, it is important to have a good knowledge about various fuels used in aviation, fuel additives and their special properties. Secondly, it is a basic requirement of fuel vendors to have better
understanding of the fuel quality control system and fuel handling methods. Thirdly, the AME should have through understanding about the implication of failure to follow the fuel system maintenance procedures. Lastly, the fuel vendor as well the AME, especially in an international operation should be well informed with the procedural aspect of mixing up of different fuels and their safety implications.