There's been a lot of talk, of course, about the service bulletin and
the notion that there may be a minimal number -- perhaps even one --
incident that prompted all this. And from all accounts, it was fairly
recent.

In the process of doing the RVator database project, I discovered a
surprising fact.

Van's told us about this problem 4 1/2 years ago. In the third issue
of 2001, it says:

"Ray Patterson removed the covers off the tanks of a damaged RV-6A
that he bought a while back and found the AN818 nuts (sometimes called
"B" nuts) on the fuel pick-up tubes wee loose. These may have loosened
up during the crash; but Pat has his doubts. Needless to say, if the
nut backs off, the tube will loosen up enough to allow air to come
into the fuel system at the top of the tube and will allow the engine
to die because of fuel starvation once the fuel level gets below the
top of the fuel pick-up tube."

"This installation should be checked before installing the inspection
plates on the inboard tank ribs. It should also be inspected on all
QuickBuild Kits when the inspection covers are removed to install the
fuel sending unit."

**

Somewhat unrelated. The reason I started the RVator database project
is because I'm always looking for the torque specification for the
AN818. Ken Scott gave it in one but I could never remember which one
(note: it was 2003, issue 3). He says for 1/4 tubing it's 40-60 inch
pounds and for 3/8" tubing it's 75-125 inch pounds. And although he
says these can be foundin the Standard Aircraft Manual, I've never
found them. but whatever.

Anyway in the mandatory service bulletin,it says torque to 110-130.

That means the information being given out on the proper torque is
anywhere between 75 and 130. Wow.