2025-24-05: Aircraft fuel filter/strainer

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2024-10-13, Amendment 39-22759 (89 FR 56189, July 9, 2024); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-24-05 Amendment 39-23200; Docket No. FAA-2025-0916; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00119-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 12, 2026. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2024-10-13, Amendment 39-22759 (89 FR 56189, July 9, 2024). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS 332L1, AS 332L2, and EC 225LP helicopters, certificated in any category, with fuel filter part number 4020P25-5 or 704A44620049 installed and with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued before February 15, 2024. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2821, Aircraft fuel filter/strainer. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the fuel filter bowl (bowl) due to over-torquing. The FAA is issuing this AD to inspect for cracks and seepage on the bowl of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) fuel filter. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the fuel filter bowl, in-flight shutdown of both engines, and consequent reduced control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0045, dated February 16, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0045). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0045 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0045 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0045 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0045 states "any discrepancy, as defined in the ASB", for this AD replace that text with "any crack or seepage". (4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0045 specifies "replace the affected part with a serviceable part in accordance with the instructions of the applicable ASB", this AD requires replacing that text with "remove the affected part from service and replace it with a serviceable part". (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0045 uses the term "check", this AD requires replacing that term with "inspection". (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0045 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (7) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0045 specifies actions for non-installed equipment or parts, this AD does not require those actions. (8) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0045. (i) No Reporting or Returning Parts Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0045 specifies to submit certain information and return parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require those actions. (j) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD and email to: [email protected]. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (l) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Deep Gaurav, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 228-3731; email: [email protected]. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0045, dated February 16, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this material at the FAA Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected] . Issued on December 2, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-22250 Filed 12-5-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P