Plain English Meaning

The containers in the airplane that hold the fuel. When they are not full, the air space inside helps the airplane float for a short time after landing on water.

Full Definition

Sealed containers built into an aircraft's wings, fuselage, or other structural areas that hold the fuel supply for the engine(s). In the ditching context, fuel tanks that are partially empty contain trapped air, which contributes to the airplane's buoyancy after a water landing.

Context Anchor

Seen during preflight inspection, fuel planning, fuel-system checks, and emergency landing , including ditching or landing on .