Fuel — Fuel Tanks — Inspection / Replacement

Published: Aug 13, 2020
Effective: Aug 27, 2020
Deadline: Aug 27, 2020

AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.

What to do

Operators of EC 175 B helicopters must inspect affected fuel tanks within 880 flight hours or 24 months from 27 August 2020, whichever occurs first. If inspection reveals defects, replacement with serviceable tanks must occur within 1,760 flight hours or 36 months from the effective date. Only serviceable tanks may be installed on any helicopter from the effective date forward.

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0180 is an official regulation addressing fuel tank inspection and replacement for Airbus Helicopters EC 175 B models. It targets specific fuel tanks identified by part numbers and serial numbers due to a manufacturing non-conformity. The directive mandates inspection and potential replacement of affected fuel tanks to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.

What changed

This new Airworthiness Directive introduces a one-time inspection requirement for certain fuel tanks on EC 175 B helicopters to detect reduced coverage of the external fabric layer on metallic plates. If defects are found, the affected tanks must be replaced with serviceable ones. It also restricts installation to only serviceable tanks from the effective date onward.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential fuel leakage risk that could lead to fire ignition following an impact. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent unsafe conditions and ensure regulatory compliance. Failure to adhere could result in grounding of aircraft or increased safety hazards.

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