Air Cruisers Company Evacuation Slide and Slide/Raft Systems

1 SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration No. NE-02-18 March 13, 2002 We post SAIBs on the internet at "av-info.faa.gov" This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory. INTRODUCTION This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs), the aviation community, including end-users, owners and operators of Air Cruisers Company (ACC) Evacuation Slide or Slide/Raft Systems, of the necessity of incorporating the (ACC) Service Bulletins as outlined in TABLE 1. These Evacuation Slide or Slide/Raft Systems are installed on, but not limited to: Manufacturer Model The Boeing Company 727 and 737 Lockheed Martin Corporation L1011 McDonnell Douglas Corporation DC-8 and DC-10 BACKGROUND The DOT-3HT-3000 pneumatic cylinders used in the ACC Evacuation Systems as listed in TABLE 1 no longer meet the DOT-3HT Specification requirements (49CFR 178.44) because they were charged in excess of the marked service pressure. This compromised the original approved life of the cylinders. On January 11, 2002, the DOT issued exemption DOT-E 12772, Third Revision, expiration date December 31, 2003, requiring that replacement of the over-pressurized cylinders be completed prior to April 30, 2005. RECOMMENDATIONS The FAA, in conjunction with the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), recommends that the non-compliant DOT-3HT-3000 pneumatic cylinders be replaced with DOT- 3HT-3300 pneumatic cylinders. The new cylinders are qualified for a higher service pressure and meet all the DOT requirements. By issuing this SAIB, the FAA Engine and Propeller Directorate is alerting the aviation community of the importance of incorporating ACC Service Bulletins. The FAA highly recommends that end-users and operators of the affected aircraft accomplish the replacement of pneumatic cylinders as outlined in the ACC Service Bulletins as soon as possible. For exact model and serial number effectivity, please refer to the service bulletins. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Leung Lee, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Valley Stream, New York 11581, phone: (516) 256-7509; email: [email protected] You can obtain copies of the Service Bulletins from Air Cruisers Company at P.O. Box 180, Highway 34 South & Allaire Airport, Belmar, New Jersey 07719-0180, USA.

2 TABLE 1 - Air Cruisers Company Service Bulletins with Aircraft Applicability Air Cruisers Service Bulletin Number Aircraft Applicability Air Cruisers Evacuation System Part Number Cylinder Part Numbers Certification Approval 103-25-34 727/737 D29835-103, -105, -107, -109, -201, -203, -205, -207, -209, -211, -213, -215, -217, -219, -221, -223, -225, -227, -229, -231 16D17194-25 TSO-C69 502-25-06 L1011 D29401 (-) 16D17194-13 TSO-C69 502-25-06 L1011 D29400 (-) 16D17194-16 TSO-C69 502-25-06 L1011 D29740 (-) 16D17194-17 TSO-C69 502-25-06 L1011 D29613 (-) 16D17194-16 TSO-C69 502-25-07 L1011 D30145 (-) 16D17194-17 PMA by identicality based upon PMA assist letter from applicable TC holder. 502-25-07 L1011 D30146 (-) 16D17194-13 PMA by identicality based upon PMA assist letter from applicable TC holder. 502-25-07 L1011 D30170 (-) 16D17194-17 PMA by identicality based upon PMA assist letter from applicable TC holder. 502-25-07 L1011 D30311 (-) 16D17194-23 PMA by identicality based upon PMA assist letter from applicable TC holder. 303-25-02 DC-8 22D29172 -5 16D17194-13 TSO-C69 301-25-08 DC-10 D30051-13, -23, -33, -43, -53, 63, -73, -83, -93, -103 16D17194-18 PMA by identicality based upon PMA assist letter from applicable TC holder. 301-25-08 DC-10 D30052-11, -31, -51, -71, -91 16D17194-17 PMA by identicality based upon PMA assist letter from applicable TC holder. 301-25-08 DC-10 D30053-11, -31, -51, -71, -91, -111, -113 16D17194-16 PMA by identicality based upon PMA assist letter from applicable TC holder. 303-25-01 DC-8 22D22860-1, -2, -3 16D17194-9 TSO-C69 301-25-07 DC-10 24D29217-1, -3 16D17194-10 TSO-C69 301-25-07 DC-10 24D29218-1, -3 16D17194-16 TSO-C69 301-25-07 DC-10 24D29221-1, -3 16D17194-17 TSO-C69 301-25-07 DC-10 24D29220-1, -3, -5 16D17194-18 TSO-C69 103-25-33 737 22D22901-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, -12, -13, -14, -15, -16, -17, -18, -19, -20, -21, -22, -23, -24, -25, -26, -27, -28, -29, -30, -103, -107, -109, -113, -115, -119, -121, -125, -129, -133, -137, -139, -141, -143, -145, -147,-149, -151, -153, -155, -157, -159 16D17194-9, 16D17194-25 TSO-C69a