81-15-03: Engine Inlet Air Filters

81-15-03 (BRACKETT AIRCRAFT COMPANY, INC. Brackett Aircraft Specialties, Inc.): Amendment 39-4160. Applies to Brackett Aircraft Company, Inc., engine inlet air filters installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA693CE and STC SA71GL on the following aircraft: \n\n\tBeech A65, 70, 65-B80, 65-88, C-23, A-24R, and B-24R; Bonanza 33, 35, and 36, all models; Cessna Model 120, 140, 140A, 150, 150B, 150C, 150D, 150E, 150F, 150G, 150H, 150J, 150K, 150L, 150M, A150L, and A150M, 170, 170A, 170B, 172, 172A, 172B, 172C, 172D, 172E, 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K, 172L, and 172M, 177, 177A, 177B, 177RG, and F177RG, 180C, 180D, 180E, 180F, 180G, 180H, 180J, 180K, 182B, 182C, 182D, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, 185, 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, 185E, and A185F, 210A, B, C, D, E, and 310A, B, C, D, F, G, H, I, J, K, L; Consolidated Aeronautics (Lake) LA4-200; Grumman American Model AA-1, AA-1A, AA-1B, and AA-5; Mooney M18C, M20, M20A, M20B, M20C, M20D, and M20G; Piper Model PA-20, PA-20-115, and PA-20-135, PA-23-150, 160, PA-24-180 to S/N 1477, PA31, 31-300, 31-350; and Varga (Shinn) Model 2150A, certificated in all categories. \n\n\tCompliance required as indicated, unless already accomplished. \n\n\tTo prevent possible failure of the aluminum air filter retainer screen or gaskets with potential ingestion of the screen, filter element and/or gasket particles into the carburetor throat, which could result in partial or complete loss of engine power, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tWithin 25 hours of time in service after the effective date of this AD, inspect aircraft as identified in Brackett Service Bulletin No. 3, Revision 1, dated March 1, 1979, or No. 6, Revision 1, dated June 29, 1981, as applicable, equipped with the Brackett Aircraft Company, Inc. engine inlet air filters, to determine \n\n\t\t(1)\twhether the air filter retainer screen is aluminum or steel, and \n\n\t\t(2)\twhether or not certain air filter frames incorporate a gasket retainer. Brackett filter assemblies Part Number BA 100, BA 2310, BA5710, BA 7110, BA 7210, BA 7310, BA 7410 and BA 7510 are required to have a gasket retainer incorporated. The gasket retainer may be a gasket retainer strip kit installed in accordance with Brackett Service Bulletin No. 5, dated July 28, 1980, or an extruded lip which is 1/32 inch high and an integral part of the filter frame furnished by Brackett Aircraft Company, Inc. \n\n\tNOTE: The aluminum air filter retainer screen can be identified by any one of the following: \n\n\t\tThe screen has diamond shaped mesh with openings 1-3/4 inch x 3/4 inch; aluminum screen is not magnetic; the date of manufacture was ink stamped on each retainer and may still be legible. Only retainers dated August 1978 and earlier have aluminum mesh screen. \n\n\tNOTE: The steel retainer screen can be identified by any one of the following: \n\n\t\tThe screen is 1/8 inch diamond mesh; the screen is magnetic; date of manufacture is ink stamped on each retainer and may still be legible. Retainers dated September 1978 and later have steel mesh screen. \n\n\t(b)\tA determination that the air filter retainer screen is steel and that a gasket retainer is incorporated in the filter frame constitutes terminating action for this AD. \n\n\t(c)\tUpon determination that the retainer screen is aluminum, visually inspect the aluminum retainer assembly for cracks or failed areas. \n\n\t\t(1)\tIf cracks or failed areas are found, prior to further flight, replace the aluminum retainer screen assembly with a steel screen assembly kit in accordance with Brackett Service Bulletin No. 3, Revision 1 dated March 1, 1979 or No. 6, Revision 1 dated June 29, 1981, as applicable. Each model air filter requires that a different Brackett kit be installed to comply with this AD. \n\n\t\t(2)\tIf cracks or failed areas are not found, the air filter assembly may be temporarily returned to service. Remove retainers with aluminum screen from service priorto the accumulation of 100 hours additional time in service. \n\n\t(d)\tAfter the inspection required in Paragraph (a) and upon determination that a gasket retainer is not incorporated in the filter retainer, prior to the accumulation of 25 additional hours of service, install gasket retainer strips in accordance with Brackett Service Bulletin No. 5 dated July 28, 1980. \n\n\tSpecial flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate aircraft to a base for the accomplishment of inspections or modifications required by this AD. \n\n\tAlternative inspections, modifications or other actions which provide an equivalent level of safety may be used when approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA Western Region. \n\n\tThe manufacturer's specifications and procedures identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1). All persons affected by this directive, who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer, may obtain copies upon request to: Brackett Aircraft Company, Inc., 5015 Roadrunner Drive, Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona 85205. These documents may also be examined at: FAA Western Region Office, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Hawthorne, California 90261 and at FAA Headquarters, 800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20591. A historical file on this AD, which includes the incorporated material in full, is maintained by the FAA at its Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and at FAA Western Region Office. \n\n\tThis supersedes AD 78-25-05, Amendment 39-3365 (43 FR 57865). \n\n\tThis amendment becomes effective July 20, 1981.