What unit in a turbine engine fuel system is susceptible to the formation of ice?

• A. The fuel pump
• B. The fuel filter
• C. The fuel control
• D. The fuel nozzle

Answer: (B)

Ice formation in a turbine engine fuel system happens where moisture in the fuel tends to collect and freeze. The fuel filter is the key spot because water separates from the fuel and settles in the filter housing. When temperatures drop, that separated water can freeze, creating an ice plug that blocks or restricts fuel flow to the pump and onward through the system. That’s why the fuel filter is the component most susceptible to ice formation — it accumulates water and sits in a cold path where freezing can easily occur. The other parts can experience icing under different conditions, but the filter’s role as a water separator and its exposure to cold make it the prime site for ice blockage. Regular draining of any accumulated water helps prevent this problem.