Airbus Helicopter Pilots Face Stricter Fuel Filter Check Rules
Published Date: 6/2/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly certain Airbus Helicopters, the FAA wants you to check your fuel filters more carefully to keep things safe. They’re updating the rules to add new inspections, tweak how tight bolts should be, and remove some helicopter models from the list. These changes help prevent fuel leaks and keep your chopper flying smoothly, with inspections and fixes needed soon to avoid bigger problems.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Adds inner-surface fuel-filter inspections
If you operate Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, or EC 225LP, the FAA proposes to require inspecting the inner surface of the left- and right-hand fuel filter bowls in addition to the existing visual inspections. This proposed rule would supersede AD 2024-10-13 and add the new inner-surface inspection to address potential cracks and seepage.
Filter removal and replacement still required
The proposed AD continues to require removing from service and replacing any fuel filter found affected by the inspections required under AD 2024-10-13. If an inspection shows cracks or seepage, the affected fuel filter must be taken out of service and replaced.
Some helicopter models removed from AD
The FAA proposes to remove some helicopter models from the applicability of AD 2024-10-13 so those specific models would no longer be covered by this airworthiness directive. If you own one of the models that is removed, you would no longer be required to follow the actions in this AD for that model.
Revises fuel-filter tightening torque
The proposed AD would revise the required tightening torque for fuel-filter fasteners on the listed Airbus Helicopters. If you maintain these helicopters, you must follow the revised torque specification when installing or servicing the fuel filters.
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