This flight left Bangor, Maine, but quickly returned with the obvious smell of fuel in the cockpit. Investigation found the left fuel crossfeed line (located on the aft bulkhead) to have a “split” type fracture indicative of water expansion. Upon removal water was found in the line. The writer notes there are “...no provisions or procedures to drain this or the right crossfeed lines.” The aircraft was subject to temperatures at or below freezing for the night and day prior to flight. Included is the reference to P/N 1516136-21. (The SDR data base reveals another, identical expansion fracture for the same aircraft model during 1986. Preventive recommendations included cautioning pilots to verify crossfeed valve operation prior to flight and to fill their tanks after flight.)

Part total time: 1,006.4 hours.