FAA to Helicopter Owners: Check Your Emergency Fuel Switches Now!
Published Date: 3/7/2025
Rule
Summary
If you fly or fix Airbus Helicopters Deutschland models like the EC135 or MBB-BK 117, listen up! The FAA says some emergency fuel shut-off switches might not work right, so you need to check them and fix or replace the warning units if needed by March 24, 2025. This keeps everyone safer and follows new rules from Europe, with comments open until April 21, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory inspections and fixes for emergency fuel switches
If you operate or maintain the listed Airbus Helicopters Deutschland models (EC135 variants and MBB‑BK117 C/D variants), you must inspect certain emergency fuel shut-off switches and, depending on the results, repair or replace the warning unit. The AD is effective March 24, 2025, and initial actions must be done within 55 hours time‑in‑service, a period of up to two months based on average flight hours, or 12 months, whichever occurs first.
Estimated per‑helicopter compliance costs
The FAA estimates each inspection takes 0.5 work‑hour at $85/hour for $43 per helicopter per inspection cycle. If a warning unit must be replaced, the FAA estimates 4 work‑hours plus parts costing $46,000 for a total of $46,340 per helicopter. The FAA estimates 606 U.S.‑registered helicopters are affected.
No special flight permits allowed
The AD explicitly prohibits special flight permits for affected helicopters. That means you cannot get an FAA special flight permit to fly an affected helicopter to accomplish required work under this AD.
Inspections must be done by certified maintenance personnel
Where the EASA material allows a pilot to perform the checks, this FAA AD requires those actions be accomplished by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3 (certificated maintenance personnel).
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