SAIB CE-04-68 —

1 SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN

Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

CE-04-68 May 14, 2004 www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you, owners and operators of Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) model 390, of certain RAC Service Bulletins (SB) and Safety Communiqué (SC) regarding the effectiveness of the fire protection system. We are considering Airworthiness Directive action to address the conditions described below.

Service Bulletin or Safety Communiqué Title SB 54-3598 Nacelles/Pylons – Upper and Lower Inboard Engine Cowling Modification SC 232 Fire Extinguisher Nozzle Assembly Inspection SB 71-3648 Powerplant – Inspection of RH Engine Hydraulic Tube and LH/RH Wire Harness Assembly SB 71-3659 Powerplant – Inspection/Replacement of LH Engine Fuel Feed Tube Assembly

Background

Maintenance reports revealed gaps between the upper and lower inboard engine cowling and the pylon. These gaps reduce the effectiveness of the nacelle fire protection. RAC issued SB 54-3598, to eliminate the gaps. Reports have also been received of protective caps installed on the fire extinguisher discharge nozzle. RAC investigation revealed that protective caps remained in place when the fire extinguisher was discharged. RAC issued SC 232 to inspect for and remove the caps.

Also received were reports of chafing between the RH engine hydraulic tube and engine inlet heat exhaust duct; between the LH/RH engine lube oil cooler exchanger and wire harness; and between the LH engine fuel feed tube and the HMU/ECU interface electrical connector. Each of these chafing conditions increases the potential for a nacelle fire. RAC issued SBs 71-3648, and 71-3659, to inspect for and eliminate the chafing condition.

RAC’s Service Bulletins and Safety Communiqué address the reduction in effectiveness of the fire protection system and the chafing conditions.

2 It is important to recognize that should the chafing condition occur simultaneously with the condition of the fire protection system, there would be significantly greater risk to the airplane than if either of the two conditions occurred separately.

Recommendation

We highly recommend that you comply with each of the Service Bulletins and Safety Communiqué identified in this SAIB.

For Further Information, Contact

James P. Galstad, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Rd, Room 100, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316.946.4135; email: [email protected]

Raytheon Aircraft Company

Technical Support - phone: 800.429.5372 or 316.616.3140; internet: https://www.racpubs.com Technical Publications - phone: 800.796.2665 or 316.676.8238; email: [email protected]

Note: The Service Bulletins are available from the internet, but the Safety Communiqué is not.