A BK17 pilot reversed course and landed safely at his departure airport when the fuel filter warning...

Attributes
ACN	922150
Time
Date	201012
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	Marginal
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MBB-BK 117 All Series
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 135
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Engine Fuel Filter
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40 Flight Crew Total 3000 Flight Crew Type 110
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue

Narrative:

While receiving VFR flight following; I observed diminishing ceiling and visibility conditions in our direction of flight. I elected to divert back to my departure airport. Within several seconds of starting a right turn back; I observed the fuel filter I light illuminate. The checklist was pulled and power was reduced in anticipation of a single engine failure. Seven minutes later the fuel filter ii warning light illuminated as well.in accordance with the checklist; I prepared for the possibility of a dual engine failure. Given the remote location we were overflying and the below-zero temperatures at the surface; I expressed my choice that the nearest safe landing area would still be back at the departure airport. I continued to monitor engine instruments and the landing was made without any engine anomalies. Upon retarding engines from fly to flight idle; each fuel filter light extinguished. After closing our flight plan the on board technician contacted his maintenance manager. Upon inspection of the fuel filters; water and debris was discovered. The FBO where fuel was most recently purchased was notified of this discovery.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A BK17 pilot reversed course and landed safely at his departure airport when the FUEL FILTER warning lights for both engines illuminated in sub zero temperatures. Inspection upon landing discovered water and debris in the filters.

Narrative: While receiving VFR flight following; I observed diminishing ceiling and visibility conditions in our direction of flight. I elected to divert back to my departure airport. Within several seconds of starting a right turn back; I observed the FUEL FILTER I light illuminate. The checklist was pulled and power was reduced in anticipation of a Single Engine Failure. Seven minutes later the FUEL FILTER II warning light illuminated as well.In accordance with the checklist; I prepared for the possibility of a Dual Engine Failure. Given the remote location we were overflying and the below-zero temperatures at the surface; I expressed my choice that the nearest safe landing area would still be back at the departure airport. I continued to monitor engine instruments and the landing was made without any engine anomalies. Upon retarding engines from FLY to Flight Idle; each FUEL FILTER light extinguished. After closing our flight plan the on board Technician contacted his Maintenance Manager. Upon inspection of the fuel filters; water and debris was discovered. The FBO where fuel was most recently purchased was notified of this discovery.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

A BK17 pilot reversed course and landed safely at his departure airport when the fuel filter warning lights for both engines illuminated in sub zero temperatures. Inspection upon landing discovered water and debris in the filters.