I don't know the proper place to post this (I tried the gas/fuel area) so forgive me if this isn't the proper area.

To get right to the point, I had a close call last Friday when the fuel pump on my flight box caught fire while fueling up my U-Can-Do 3D .46. I have a fueling port valve on my UCD and I had just topped off the tank for the first flight of the day. As a habit, I always reverse my electric fuel pump for a moment before unplugging the fuel line from the airplane. When I hit the reverse switch I remember hearing a very subtle "whump" sound. I didn't think much of it until my left thumb (near the pump) started getting hot! I immediately jerked the fuel lines off the gallon jug, along with the velcro straps and set the fuel jug on the ground. Next, I grabbed a cloth rag and wrapped it tightly around the fuel pump. I waited a bit and then checked for heat (remember, burning alcohol does not produce a visible flame, at least until something else starts burning). When I was sure the fire was out I removed the pump from the flight box and sure enough, I could see a small amount of heat damage on the plastic case, near the fuel tube exit. Out of curiosity, I disassembled the pump and it was pretty damp inside with fuel. I also noticed that the switch is not encased or isolated from the pump area (bad design). I figure the switch made a spark when I hit reverse and set off the fuel vapor and drips.

To cure this problem, I am going to bypass the built-in pump switch and just use the power panel fuel pump switch.

Be careful out there.

Kaos.