98-21-21: Inflatable Door Seals

98-21-21 Bob Fields Aerocessories: Amendment 39-10844; Docket No. 98-CE-88-AD. Applicability: Inflatable door seals, installed either in accordance with the applicable supplemental type certificate (STC) or through field approval, that are installed on, but not limited to, the following aircraft: Affected STC Make and Model Aircraft Affected SA3735NM Cessna Models 170, 170A, and 170B Airplanes SA4136WE Cessna Models 310, 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D, 310E, 310F, 310G, 310H, 310I, 310J, 310K, 310L, 310N, 310P, 310Q, 310R, T310P, T310Q, and T310R Airplanes SA2226NM Cessna Models P210N and P210R Airplanes SA3736NM Cessna Models 185, 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, A185E, and A185F Airplanes SA4177WE Cessna Models 175, 175A, 175B, and 175C Airplanes SA4212WE Cessna Models 210, 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, 210E,210F, 210G, 210H, 210J, 210K, 210L, 210M, 210N, T210F, T210G, T210H, T210J, T210K, T210L, T210M, T210N, 210-5 (205), and 210-5A (205A) Airplanes SA4213WE Cessna Models 310, 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D, 310F, 310G, 310H, 310I, 310J, 310K, 310L, 310N, 310P, 310Q, 310R, T310P, T310Q, and T310R Airplanes SA4283WE Cessna Models 172, 172A, 172B, 172C, 172D, 172E, 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K, 172L, 172M, and 172N Airplanes SA4284WE Cessna Models 180, 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D, 180E, 180F, 180G, 180H, 180J, and 180K Airplanes SA4285WE Cessna Models 182, 182A, 182B, 182C, 182D, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, R182, and TR182 Airplanes SA4286WE Cessna Models 206, P206, P206A, P206B, P206C, P206D, P206E, TP206A, TP206B, TP206C, TP206D, TP206E, U206, U206A, U206B, U206C, U206D, U206E, U206F, U206G, TU206A, TU206B, TU206C, TU206D, TU206E, TU206F, and TU206G Airplanes SA4287WE Cessna Models 320, 320A, 320B, 320C, 320D, 320E, 320F, and 320-1 Airplanes SA4180WE Raytheon (Beech) Models H35, J35, K35, M35, N35, P35, S35, V35, V35A, V35B, 35-33, 35-A33, 35-B33, 35-C33, 35-C33A, E33, E33A, E33C, F33, F33A, F33C, G33, 36,A36, A36TC, and B36TC Airplanes SA4184WE Raytheon (Beech) Models 95, B95, B95A, E95, 95-55, 95-A55, 95-B55, 95-B5A, 95-B55B, 95-C55, D55, E55, 56TC, 58, and 58A Airplanes SA4239WE Raytheon (Beech) Models 58P, 58PA, 58TC, and 58TCA Airplanes SA4240WE Raytheon (Beech) Models 50, B50, C50, D50, D50A, D50B, D50C, D50E, D50E-5990, E50, F50, G50, H50, and J50 Airplanes SA4282WE Raytheon (Beech) Models 35, A35, B35, C35, D35, E35, F35, G35, and 35R Airplanes SA4178WE Mooney Models M20, M20A, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, and M20K Airplanes SA4472NM Aerostar Models PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P Airplanes SA4234WE The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-34-200, PA-34-200T, and PA-34-220T Airplanes SA4179WE Piper Models PA-24, PA-24-250, PA-24-260, and PA-24-400 Airplanes SA4235WE Piper Models PA-44-180 and PA-44-180T Airplanes SA4236WE Piper Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28-235, PA-28-151, PA-28-181, PA-28-161, PA-28-236, PA-28-201T, PA-285-160, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, PA-28R-201, PA-28R-201T, PA-28RT-201, and PA-28RT-201T Airplanes SA4237WE Piper Models PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, and PA-E23-250 Airplanes SA4238WE Piper Models PA-30, PA-39, and PA-40 Airplanes SA4385WP Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 Airplanes SA4288WE Piper Models PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32-301, PA-32-301T, PA-32R-300, PA-32R-301, PA-32R-301T, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T Airplanes SA2511NM Bellanca Models 17-30, 17-31, and 17-31TC Airplanes SA2510NM Bellanca Models 17-30A, 17-31A, and 17-31ATC Airplanes SA4316WE Wing Aircraft Company Model D-1 Airplanes NOTE 1: This AD applies to each aircraft identified in the preceding applicability provision that has the affected inflatable door seals installed, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For aircraft thathave 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 (f) 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. Compliance: Required prior to further flight after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent smoke and a possible fire in the cockpit caused by overheating of the electric door seal inflation systems, which could result in passenger injury, accomplish the following: (a) Deactivate the electric door seal inflation system by accomplishing the following: (1) Disconnect the battery. (2) Locate the air pump and identify the power wire to theair pump. (3) Trace the power wire to its connection to the airplane's original electrical power system. Disconnect the power wire at its attachment to the airplane's electrical power system and stow the wire end. (4) For non-pressurized airplanes or for airplanes that have an operating manual door seal inflation system, fabricate a placard that incorporates the following words utilizing letters that are at least 0.10- inch in height, and install this placard on the instrument panel within the pilot's clear view: "ELECTRIC DOOR SEAL INFLATION SYSTEM INOPERATIVE" (5) For pressurized airplanes or for airplanes that do not have an operating manual door seal inflation system, fabricate a placard that incorporates the following words utilizing letters that are at least 0.10- inch in height, and install this placard on the instrument panel within the pilot's clear view: "ELECTRIC DOOR SEAL INFLATION SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. THIS AIRPLANE CAN ONLY BE OPERATED IN UNPRESSURIZED FLIGHT" (6) Reconnect the battery before returning to service. (b) Insert a copy of this AD into the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM). (c) As an alternative method of compliance to the actions of paragraph (a), including all subparagraphs, and paragraph (b) of this AD, remove all provisions of the Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals, and install original equipment manufacturer door seals or an FAA-approved equivalent that is of different design than the referenced Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals. (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any aircraft, Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals either in accordance with the applicable STC or through field approval. (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of thisAD can be accomplished provided the following are adhered to, as applicable: (1) Locate and remove the in-line fuse for the electric door seal inflation system; or (2) Pull the system circuit breaker for the electric door seal inflation system; and (3) For pressurized airplanes or for airplanes that do not have an operating manual door seal inflation system, operate the airplane in unpressurized flight only. (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. (g) Information related to this AD may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. (h) This amendment becomes effective on October 30, 1998, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 98-21-21, issued October 2, 1998, which contained the requirements of this amendment.