HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN MY TANKER ? I KNOW ! ILL USE MY LIGHTER TO TAKE A LOOK !

http://www.jokeroo.com/extremevideos..._gas_tank.html

To set the record straight, it is not a lighter that he had but a cell phone.

The ringing did not ignite the fumes, but dropping it through the hatch produced a static spark which did ignite the fumes.

I've been to several training seminars where this film and several more were shown (in context)

In one of the films a pair of glasses fell off the driver and ignited the fumes. Anything plastic can produce enough of a static charge while falling through the hatch to produce a spark.

myth busters couldn't get a cell phone to ignite a perfect mix of gas and air even under some adverse circumstances. they over charged it, called it, dropped it, etc... hmm

They did't drop it though the hatch of an empty tanker.

Dropping ANYTHING through the open hatch of a gas tanker has the potential to cause an explosion. Emty tankers are worse than full ones. It'* the static charge that builds up naturally and triggered by a foreign object falling through that 18' hole.

As for using cell phones while fuelling............ There has never been a proven case of one causing a fire. But why take the chance?