The FAA feels that the concern detailed in SAIB CE-17-18 does not warrant an airworthiness directive at this time.
The FAA is issuing a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB CE-17-18) to alert owners and operators of Aviat Husky aircraft, Models A-1, A1A, A-1B, and A-1C-180, to an airworthiness concern with “the possibility of low flight hour muffler cracking.”
More Details on SAIB CE-17-18
During February, the FAA was notified of several incidents in which low flight hour mufflers had cracked “where the muffler can is joined to the overboard tube beneath the heat shroud.” One cracked muffler, discovered during an annual inspection, had 60.6 hours time-in-service (TIS). Another muffler, discovered during a 100 flight hour inspection, had 70 hours TIS. And a third cracked muffler, with only 50 hours TIS, was discovered after excessive play was found during a pre-flight inspection.
Recommendations
At this time, the FAA recommends that all owners/operators of the specified Husky models adhere to the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, which require an “annual or not-to-exceed 100 flight hour inspection for cracks in the muffler can with the heat shroud removed.” If cracks are found where the muffler can is joined to the overboard tube, it is recommended that the muffler should be replaced rather than weld repaired.
In addition, the FAA recommends that the fuselage exhaust pipe exit be examined as part of each pre-flight in order to detect any evidence of the exhaust pipe rubbing against the skin. If any evidence of rubbing is found, the agency suggests moving forward with the 100-hour inspection for cracking. Finally, if cracks are found during the inspection, it is requested that this information is reported to Aviat, along with the muffler TIS, and whether there are any marks on the muffler, generally found on the overboard tube, that indicate a manufacturing lot or manufacturing date.
Contact Information
For additional information regarding SAIB CE-17-18, you can contact FAA Aeropsace Safety Engineer Richard Thomas:
- Address: Denver Aircraft Certification Office, East 68th Avenue, Room 214, Denver, Colorado 80249
- Phone: 303-342-1085 / Fax 303-342-1088
- Email: richard.r.thomas@faa.gov
For service information, contact Aviat Aircraft:
- Address: P.O. Box 1240, Afton, WY 83110
- Phone (307) 885–3151 / Fax: (307) 885–9674
- Email: aviat@aviataircraft.com
To read a copy of the SAIB, click here.
Featured Image: Aviat A-1C-180 Husky, courtesy of FlugKerl2, CC BY-SA 3.0
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