Created Sunday, Nov 1st 2020 17:58Z, last updated Sunday, Nov 1st 2020 17:58Z
In October 2020 the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) released their Safety Information Bulletin SIB 2018-10R1 addressing the events on board of B-HLL of April 2010 as well as at least 7 other similiar events known since 2010.
The EASA argues:
There have been several events of engine power fluctuations or other occurrences as described in the reference publications that were caused by deposits of Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) in the aircraft/engine fuel system.
These problems are assumed to be caused by a migration of SAP out of filtration devices (filter monitors) that are used in the fuel supply chain to the aircraft. Aircraft and engine type certificate holders consider the presence of SAP in fuel to be a potential flight safety issue and cannot endorse a level of SAP that is acceptable in fuel.
The aim of this SIB is to enhance awareness of aircraft and aerodrome operators of the risks associated with SAP in jet fuel, to inform about on-going industry actions on the matter and to provide recommendations for the purpose of mitigating the associated risks.
At this time EASA does not regard the issue a safety issue, that would warrant an airworthiness directive or similiar measures.
EASA bases the Safety Information Bulletin on findings by the Joint Investigation Group (JIG) about fuel filter monitors of Dec 11th 2017, the findings by IATA's special interest group, a FAA Safety Information Bulletin of Oct 9th 2020 as well as further JIG findings up to Oct 9th 2020.
