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98-21-21 R1: Electric Inflatable Door Seals

FAA order 98-21-21 R1 is an airworthiness directive in force since May 1, 2000. The FAA's subject line: Electric Inflatable Door Seals. It names Beechcraft 35 Bonanza and Debonair, Beechcraft 58 Baron, Beechcraft 95 Travel Air and Baron 55, Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, Beechcraft B36 Bonanza, Bellanca 17 Viking, Cessna 170, Cessna 172 Skyhawk, Cessna 175 Skylark, Cessna 180 Skywagon, Cessna 182 Skylane, Cessna 185 Skywagon, Cessna 206 Stationair, Cessna 210 Centurion, Cessna 310, Cessna 320, Cessna A185 Skywagon, Cessna P206 Super Skylane, Cessna P210 Pressurized Centurion, Cessna R182 Skylane RG, Cessna T-310, Cessna T210 Turbo Centurion, Cessna TP206, Cessna TR182 Turbo Skylane RG, Cessna TU206, Cessna U206 Stationair, Mooney M-20, Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec, Piper PA-24 Comanche, Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Arrow, Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, Piper PA-31 Navajo and Chieftain, Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six, Lance and Saratoga, Piper PA-34 Seneca, Piper PA-39 Twin Comanche C/R, Piper PA-44 Seminole: about 90,536 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: airframe structure.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Appliance
Makes
Cessna Aircraft Company; Emerald Enterprises Ltd.; Mooney Aviation Company Inc; Piper Aircraft Inc.; Alexandria Aircraft LLC; Textron Aviation Inc.
Models
17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31ATC, 17-31TC, 170, 170A, 170B, 172A, 172B, 172C, 172D, 172E, 172F (USAF T-41A), 172G, 172H (USAF T-41A), 172I, 172K, 172L, 172M, 172N, 175, 175A, 175B, 175C, 180, 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D, 180E, 180F, 180G, 180H, 180J, 180K, 182, 182A, 182B, 182C, 182D, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, 185, 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, 210, 210-5 (205), 210-5A (205A), 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, 210E, 210F, 210G, 210H, 210J, 210K, 210L, 210M, 210N, 310, 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D, 310F, 310G, 310H, 310I, 310J, 310K, 310L, 310N, 310P, 310Q, 310R, 320,...
On this site
Beechcraft 35 Bonanza and Debonair 1,077 registered
Beechcraft 58 Baron 1,295 registered
Beechcraft 95 Travel Air and Baron 55 1,245 registered
Beechcraft A36 Bonanza 2,530 registered
Beechcraft B36 Bonanza 308 registered
Bellanca 17 Viking 628 registered
Cessna 170 2,084 registered
Cessna 172 Skyhawk 20,669 registered
Cessna 175 Skylark 927 registered
Cessna 180 Skywagon 2,606 registered
Cessna 182 Skylane 11,828 registered
Cessna 185 Skywagon 227 registered
Cessna 206 Stationair 213 registered
Cessna 210 Centurion 1,526 registered
Cessna 310 1,410 registered
Cessna 320 137 registered
Cessna A185 Skywagon 1,372 registered
Cessna P206 Super Skylane 163 registered
Cessna P210 Pressurized Centurion 443 registered
Cessna R182 Skylane RG 706 registered
Cessna T-310 207 registered
Cessna T210 Turbo Centurion 1,285 registered
Cessna TP206 25 registered
Cessna TR182 Turbo Skylane RG 465 registered
Cessna TU206 343 registered
Cessna U206 Stationair 798 registered
Mooney M-20 6,247 registered
Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec 1,316 registered
Piper PA-24 Comanche 2,427 registered
Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Arrow 18,619 registered
Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche 879 registered
Piper PA-31 Navajo and Chieftain 935 registered
Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six, Lance and Saratoga 3,917 registered
Piper PA-34 Seneca 998 registered
Piper PA-39 Twin Comanche C/R 82 registered
Piper PA-44 Seminole 599 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
May 1, 2000
Published
March 9, 2000 (signed March 2, 2000)
Docket
98-CE-88-AD
Replaces
98-21-21
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

This amendment revises Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-21-21, which currently requires de-activating the electric door seal inflation system for all aircraft equipped with Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals. Since issuance of that AD, the manufacturer has developed a modification that would allow these electric door seal inflation systems to remain in service, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved this modification. This AD requires incorporating this modification as a method of complying with the current AD, and will exclude those airplanes with manual door seal inflation systems from the AD requirements of de-activating the system. The actions specified by this AD are intended 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.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (9,076 characters)
REVISION 98-21-21 R1 BOB FIELDS AEROCESSORIES: Amendment 39-11621; Docket No. 98-CE-88-AD; Revises AD 98-21-21, Amendment 39-10844. Applicability: Electric 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, 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 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-B55A, 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 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-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 airplane 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 airplanes 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 withparagraph (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 as indicated in the body 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) Prior to further flight after October 30, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-21-21), 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 the air 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, 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) Prior to further flight after October 30, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-21-21), insert a copy of this AD into the Limitations Section ofthe airplane flight manual (AFM). NOTE 2: The prior to further flight compliance time of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD is being retained from AD 98-21-21. The only substantive difference between this AD and AD 98-21-21 is the addition of the alternative method of compliance referenced in paragraph (c) of this AD. NOTE 3: This AD only applies to those aircraft equipped with the Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals. With this in mind, the owner/operator also has the option of removing all provisions of the Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals installation, and installing original equipment manufacturer door seals or an FAA-approved equivalent that is of a different design than the referenced Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals. (c) One of the following actions may be accomplished as an alternative method of compliance to the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD. No further action is required by this AD as long as one ofthese configurations remains incorporated on the aircraft. (1) Modify the electric door seal inflation system in accordance with the procedures in Bob Fields Aerocessories Service Bulletin No. BFA-001, Date: November 3, 1998; or (2) Install a manual door seal inflation system instead of an electric system. Aircraft with existing manual systems as of the effective date of this AD are excluded from the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD. (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any aircraft, a Bob Fields Aerocessories electric door seal inflation system unless the actions specified in Bob Fields Aerocessories Service Bulletin No. BFA-001, Date: November 3, 1998, are incorporated. (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 this AD can be accomplished.(f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance times 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. (1) 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. (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance with AD 98-21-21 are considered approved as alternative methods of compliance for this AD. NOTE 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. (g) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of the document referred to herein upon request to Bob Fields Aerocessories, 340 East Santa Maria St., Santa Paula, California 93060; or may examine this document(s) at the FAA, Central Region,Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 506, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. (h) This amendment revises AD 98-21-21, Amendment 39-10844. (i) This amendment becomes effective on May 1, 2000.

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Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 5, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/98-21-21 R1.json · aircraft systems.