Fuel: Aircraft Fuel System on Cessna Model 500/501/550 Airplanes

SAIB CE-12-19 Current Issued 03/01/2012 Cessna Aircraft Company 500 | 501 | 550

What is a SAIB?

A Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin is an FAA-issued advisory — not mandatory like an AD, but worth knowing about. SAIBs typically flag service bulletins, manufacturer recommendations, or emerging issues that don't (yet) rise to AD level.

Bulletin text

Verbatim from the FAA-published PDF. 13 paragraphs · 360 words.

FAA Aviation Safety SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SAIB: CE-12-19 SUBJ: Fuel: Aircraft Fuel System on Cessna Model 500/501/550 Airplanes Date: March 1, 2012 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you, owners/operators of Cessna Aircraft Company Models 500, 501 and 550 Airplanes with an installed auxiliary fuel tank following Sierra Industries, Ltd. Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) SA80RM or SA152RM, of new instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA).

At this time, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined this airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Background

This SAIB is a result of a Cessna Aircraft Company Model 501 airplane that developed fuel leaks in the auxiliary fuel tank installed with Sierra Industries, Ltd. STC. Investigation revealed improper maintenance was performed in an attempt to reseal the fuel tank. The ICA introductory paragraph states the Citation maintenance manual structural repairs and tank sealing instructions apply to tank repair and sealing.

However, the FAA and Sierra Industries saw this as an opportunity to revise the ICA and raise awareness of the ICA. In response, Sierra Industries, Ltd. created revised ICA, Document MMS-911, Issue 1, dated November 28, 2011, to expand and clarify inspection requirements and maintenance instructions for the auxiliary fuel tank and fuel system. The new ICA includes maintenance and repair instructions, operational check and trouble shooting procedures, a fuel system schematic and wiring diagram, and major parts list.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends all owners and operators of Cessna Aircraft Company Models 500, 501, and 550 airplanes modified with Sierra Industries, Ltd. STC SA80RM or SA152RM obtain a copy of and comply with the inspection and maintenance requirements contained in Sierra Industries, Ltd. ICA Document MMS-911, Issue 1, dated November 28, 2011.

For Further Information Contact

Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, FAA/ASW-150, c/o SAT-MIDO-43, 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, TX 78216; phone: (210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370; e-mail: [email protected].

For Related Service Information Contact

Sierra Industries, Ltd, 122 Howard Langford Drive, Uvalde, TX 78801; phone: (830) 278-4481; fax: (830) 278-7649; website: www.sijet.com. 1

The FAA-published PDF is the authoritative source. Open on drs.faa.gov ↗