2001-22-14: Fire Extinguishing System Bottle Cartridges

2001-22-14 Overland Aviation Services: Amendment 39-12493; Docket No. 98-CE-113-AD. \n\n\t(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges presented in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD that were distributed from April 1, 1996, through September 15, 1997, and are installed on, but not limited to, the specified aircraft: \n\n\t\t(1) This chart presents the fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge part number, the fire extinguishing system bottle assembly basic part number, the make/model aircraft that the system could be installed on, and the cartridge lot number: \n\n\nOverland Aviation Services (OAS) cartridge part numbers \nWalter Kidde Aerospace (WKA) fire extinguishing system (Firex) bottle assembly basic part number\nMake/model of applicable aircraft\nCartridge lot number \nOA472001\n472073, 472420, 472467, 897878, 897885, 899170\nAerospatiale ATR72 Series ATR42-200, -300, -320; Embraer EMB-120 Series\nSBI 1-1 SBI 1-2 \nOA841155\n890532, 890598, 890599, 891070, 891147, 891814, 892308, 893675, 898768\nBoeing 707-100, -100B Series, -300 Series, 720B; McDonnell Douglas DC-8 and DC-8F Series; Lockheed 382, 382E, 382F, 382G; Sabreliner NA-265 Series; Bell 204B\nSBI 1-3, OAS 1-2 \nOA873364\n472049, 472162, 472389, 472390, 893456, 893523, 893524, 893572, 893726, 894703, 895353, 897770, 898006, 898066 \nGulfstream G-1159, G-1159B, G-1159A; Cessna 425, 441, 550, S550, 551, 552 Fokker F.28 Series; SAAB 340 Series; Bell 412\nSBI 1-3\nOA873571\n892807, 892857, 893244, 899827, 899927\nBoeing 707-100, -100B Series, -300 Series, 720B; McDonnell Douglas DC-8, DC-8F Series; DC-9 Series; Lockheed 382, 382E, 382F, 382G\nSBI 2-2 \nOA876296\n472602, 472603, 473598, 895240, 895564, 895678, 895683, 895877, 896054, 898150\nMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-81, DC-9-82, DC-9-83, DC-10 Series; Airbus A300 Series\nSBI 1-1, OAS 1-1 \nOA876299\n472268, 895656, 895752, 895848, 896165, 896166, 897785, 897797, 897798\nLockheed L-1011 Series \nSBI 1-1\nOA897776\n472258, 472428, 897775, 897869, 897885, 897899, 899066, 899074, 899170, 899486\nCanadair CL-600-1A11, CL-600 -2A12, CL-600-2B16; Embraer EMB-120, EMB 120RT; Sikorsky S-76A; SAAB 340 Series \nSBI 1-4, SBI 1-15, SBI 1-16, OAS 1-1\n\n\t\t(2) OAS distributed the affected fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges from April 1, 1996, through September 15, 1997. This AD does not apply to cartridges incorporated on the aircraft prior to April 1, 1996. \n\n\t\t(3) Procurement records may show if the owner/operator has ever bought affected parts, for spares or time replacements, for airplane installation, or to support a repair shop. These could be cross-referenced to the lots that are suspect. Additionally, a review of procurement records with respect to the part number, lot number, and distribution date of the suspect lots would also reduce the owners'/operators' workload of having to examine all applicable Air Transport Association (ATA) codes in the databases. A search of the maintenance/inspection records and logbooks of a specific airplane make and model and serial number could be beneficial. \n\n\t\t(4) The fire extinguishing system parts are installed up to a hex wrenching flat on the cartridge body. These wrenching flats have the part number, lot number, and date of manufacture stamped on them, as well as safety wire holes. When installed, the safety wire will probably cover up at least one bit of the above information. Inspecting the wrenching flats could help determine whether the fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges contain a suspect part number with the affected distribution date or lot number. \n\n\t(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD. \n\n\t(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent damage to fire extinguishing system components caused by a fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge activating with excessive energetic force. This could result in the fire extinguishing system operating improperly and lead to passenger injury in the event of an airplane fire. \n\n\t(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following: \n\n\nActions\nCompliance\nProcedures\n(1) Check the maintenance records to determine whether an extinguishing system bottle cartridge that is referenced in paragraphs (a) and (a)(1) of this AD is installed. \n (i) If an affected fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge was installed prior to April 1, 1996, you do not have to accomplish the removal and replacement requirements of this AD (paragraph (d)(2) of this AD); and. \n (ii) Make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with that portion of the AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). \n\nWithin the next 80 days after December 10, 2001 (the affected date of this AD). \nThe owner/operator holding at leasta private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may accomplish these actions. \n(2) Remove from service any fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge referenced in paragraph (a) and (a)(1) of this AD). Replace that bottle cartridge with an FAA-approved fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge that is not one of the applicable OAS part numbers that was distributed from April 1, 1996, through September 15, 1997. \nWithin the next 180 days after December 10, 2001 (the effective dated of this AD). \nOAS Service Bulletin 22-09-97, dated October 1, 2001, contains information related to this subject. \n(3) Do not install, on any aircraft, any affected OAS fire extinguishing system bottled cartridge that was distributed from April 1, 1996, through September 15, 1997. \nAs of December 10, 2001 (the effective date of this AD). \nNot Applicable. \n\n\tNote 1: "Unless already accomplished" credit may be extended to the records check allowed by this AD provided that the records are checked to cover any time period that has elapsed since the previous check. \n\n\t(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if: \n\n\t\t(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and \n\n\t\t(2) The Manager, Wichita ACO, approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO. \n\n\tNote 2: This AD applies to each aircraft that incorporates one of the fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges identified in paragraphs (a) and (a)(1) of this AD; regardless of whether the aircraft has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For aircraft that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. \n\n\t(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Jeffrey D. Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4148; facsimile: (316) 946-4407. \n\n\t(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD. \n\n\t(h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? You may obtain copies of the document referenced in this AD from Overland Aviation Services, 10271 Bach Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63132. You may view this document at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. \n\n\t(i) This amendment becomes effective on December 10, 2001.