Fuel drain valve failure

[Paul_G]

Today as I was going through my preflight checklist, the fuel tank drain valve failed on my left wing tank. When I inserted the test cup, the innards of the valve came apart inside the tank and the gas poured out of the tank. Fortunately I was at my home airport and had gas cans and funnels to catch the gas.

My A&P had a replacement valve and all is good now, but he told me that he has never seen one fail (other than rust out). The innards of the valve are in the tank and unrecoverable, but he felt it would not be a problem because of the screens and filters.

I am attaching a couple of pictures showing the failed valve.