Fuel — Flight with Fuel and KATHON FP 1.5 Biocide Mixture — Prohibition
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft must immediately cease flight operations using fuel mixed with KATHON FP 1.5 biocide from 19 August 2020. Before the next flight, they must perform the required KATHON removal procedures as detailed in Airbus Technical Adaptation 80808794/002/2020. Installation of affected parts is allowed only if followed by the removal procedure prior to flight.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0176 is an airworthiness directive issued by EASA that applies to Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes, specifically certain variants including the A319-151N, A320-251N, and A321-253NX among others. The directive prohibits flight operations with fuel mixed with KATHON FP 1.5 biocide due to reported engine performance issues. It mandates removal of the biocide mixture from affected fuel system parts to ensure continued airworthiness.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0176 introduces a new prohibition on operating Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft with fuel containing KATHON FP 1.5 biocide. It requires operators to perform specific maintenance procedures to remove the biocide from the fuel system before further flight. The directive also sets conditions for installation of affected parts and allows ground operation with the biocide only if removal is done before the next flight.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because the presence of KATHON FP 1.5 biocide in fuel can reduce engine performance and potentially compromise aircraft control. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid unsafe conditions and ensure regulatory compliance. Failure to adhere could lead to operational restrictions and safety risks.
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