NTSB Recommends Prioritizing Approval of Crash-Resistant Fuel System Retrofit for Airbus Helicopters

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued Recommendation A-16-011, identified by NTSB number CEN15FA164, directed to the European Aviation Safety Agency. The recommendation addresses safety improvements for Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3e aircraft and similarly designed variants. Specifically, the board advises that once Airbus Helicopters finishes developing a retrofit kit incorporating a crash-resistant fuel system, the agency should prioritize its approval. This accelerated certification process is intended to make the safety-enhancing technology available to operators more quickly. The recommendation highlights the importance of timely implementation for these specific helicopter models.