NATA Safety 1st Alert: Parker Velcon Product Safety Awareness Bulletin
Parker Velcon recently alerted the aviation fuel industry to a manufacturing defect affecting a limited number of CDFX water barrier filter (WBF) elements. The defect, related to the black outer screen on the elements, causes dye used in the manufacturing process to wash off the screen upon initial exposure to jet fuel, leading to a bluish discoloration of the fuel. Jet fuel with a bluish color is not acceptable for aviation use.
In a Product Safety Awareness Bulletin (SAB) dated December 6th, 2024, Parker Velcon outlined the defect, remediation measures, and actions required from users, along with the following photo example of fuel discolored by the dye:
Of note, the Parker Velcon SAB refers only to Jet fuel and makes no reference to the impact on the affected CDFX filters when used in Avgas 100LL applications which is dyed blue per ASTM Specification D910. NATA’s GA Fuel Handling Subcommittee met with Parker Velcon representatives who confirmed visual detection of the dye in Avgas 100LL applications is not possible. As a result, Parker Velcon is recalling all unused CDFX water barrier filter elements manufactured prior to December 31, 2023, regardless of the fuel grade application. With the SAB specifying “CDFX filters still meet the performance requirements of EI1588 specification despite the initial discoloration”, Parker Velcon representatives advised that affected elements which are already installed need not be replaced outside their normal replacement schedule. Parker Velcon’s SAB does, however, detail enhanced commissioning checks for CDFX filters produced between January and June 2024. View the complete SAB issued by Parker Velcon here.
Airlines for America (A4A), publishers of Spec 103- Standard for Jet Fuel Quality Control at Airports, responded by issuing Bulletin 2024.4, immediately modifying the Spec 103 to require additional commissioning checks for all water barrier filters, regardless of brand or manufacturing date. Click here to view A4A bulletin 2024.4.
In the meeting with NATA’s GA Fuel Handling Subcommittee and a subsequent letter provided to NATA, Parker Velcon confirmed that the manufacturing defect was limited to materials used in the production of CDFX-2xxB elements only, however they have updated their installation instructions for ACOX filter elements to include the same “idle time” requirement now advised for their CDFX filters.
For more information or further instructions, please contact Parker Velcon.
NATA will continue to update its members as new details develop.
For more information or for additional questions please contact NATA at safety1st@nata.aero.