2019-10-06: Fuel Distribution

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2019-10-06 Aviat Aircraft Inc.: Amendment 39-19645; Docket No. FAA- 2017-0418; Product Identifier 2016-CE-041-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective July 22, 2019. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Aviat Aircraft Inc. (Aviat) Models A-1C-180 and A-1C-200 airplanes, serial numbers 3181 through 3282, certificated in any category, that are equipped with a Rapco part number (P/N) RA1798-00-1 fuel vent check valve on one or both wings. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2820, Fuel Distribution. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report that Rapco P/N RA1798-00-1 fuel vent check valves are sticking in the closed position. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct failure of the fuel tank vent check valve, which could result in fuel starvation to the engine and cause the engine to shut down. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Verify Proper Operation of the Fuel Vent Check Valve on Each Wing Before further flight after July 22, 2019 (the effective date of this AD), revise the airplane flight manual (AFM) as follows: (1) Insert into the Limitations Section of the AFM steps 1 through 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Aviat Aircraft Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 33, Initial Release, dated November 11, 2016 (Aviat SB, No. 33, IR). (2) Immediately following steps 1 through 3, add the following language to the LimitationsSection of the AFM: Step 4. If there is a stuck fuel vent check valve, it must be replaced in accordance with AD 2019-10-06 before further flight. (3) This AFM revision requires preflight checks of the fuel vent check valve on each wing. This insertion and the steps therein may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate. The AFM revision must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (h) Remove Inoperative Fuel Vent Check Valve If a fuel vent check valve is not operating properly, before further flight, remove the inoperative valve by following steps 5 and 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Aviat SB, No. 33, IR. (i) Replace Inoperative Fuel Vent Check Valve Before further flight after removing any inoperative fuel vent check valve as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, replace it with an airworthy fuel vent check valve by following step 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Aviat SB, No. 33, IR. If both fuel vent check valves, Rapco P/N RA1798-00-1, are replaced with Aviat P/ N 38266-501 fuel vent check valves, you may remove the AFM revisions required by paragraph (g)(1) and (2) of this AD. (j) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits are not necessary for the preflight checks. A special flight permit is allowed for this AD per 14 CFR 39.23 with limitations. Special flight permits are permitted for the airplane to be flown visual flight rules only to a location where the inoperative fuel vent check valve can be removed and replaced. No special flight permits are allowed if both valves are found to be inoperative. (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Denver ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person and office identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (l) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Richard R. Thomas, Aviation Safety Engineer (ASE), FAA, Denver ACO Branch, 26805 East 68th Avenue, Room 214, Denver, Colorado 80249; phone: (303) 342- 1085; fax: (303) 342-1088; email: richard.r.thomas@faa.gov. If an AMOC is requested by email, it must be sent to both the ASE's email and the Denver ACO Branch general email: 9-Denver-Aircraft-Cert@faa.gov. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) Aviat Aircraft Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 33, Initial Release, dated November 11, 2016. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Aviat Aircraft Inc., P.O. Box 1240, Afton, WY 83110; phone (307) 885-3151; fax: (307) 885-9674; email: aviat@aviataircraft.com; internet: http://aviataircraft.com. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.