AD 2000-06-01   Fuel Strainer Standpipe

May 5, 2000

This AD applies to 150F-M, A150K-M, F150F-M, FA150K-M, FRA150L-M, A-150L, A-A150L, 152, A152, F152, and FA152

This AD requires measuring the visible length of standpipe (tube) in the top assembly of the fuel strainer assembly for the correct length, and replacing any fuel strainer assembly that does not have the correct length of standpipe. This AD is the result of reports that the fuel strainer assemblies on the affected airplanes were manufactured with the fuel standpipes incorrectly installed in the assembly housing top. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent foreign material from entering the fuel system and engine, which could result in loss of engine power or complete engine stoppage during flight.

2000-06-01 CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY: Amendment 39-11641; Docket No. 97-CE-114-AD.

Applicability: All serial numbers of the following airplane models, certificated in any category, including those manufactured in France that have a capital “F” or “FR” prefix on the model number:

Models 150F, 150G, 150H, 150J, 150K, 150L, 150M, A150K, A150L, A150M, A-150L, A-A150L, F150F, F150G, F150H, F150J, F150K, F150L, F150M, FA150K, FA150L, FA150M, FRA150L, FRA150M, 152, A152, F152, FA152, 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K, 172L, 172M, 172N, 172P, 172Q, R172E (T41), R172F (T41), R172G (T41), R172H (T41), R172J, R172K, 172RG, F172F, F172G, F172H, F172K, F172L, F172M, F172N, F172P, FR172E, FR172F, FR172G, FR172H, FR172J, FR172K, 177, 177A, 177B, 177RG, F177RG, 180H, 180J, 180K, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, 182R/T182, 182R, R182, R182/TR182, A182J, A182K, A182L, A182N, F182P, F182Q, FR182, 185D, 185E, A185E, A185F, 188, A188, 188A, A188A, 188B, A188B, T188C, A-A188B, U206, U206A, TU206A, U206B/TU206B, U206C/TU206C, U206D/TU206D, U206E/TU206E, U206F/TU206F, U206G/TU206G, P206, P206A, TP206A, P206B/TP206B, P206C/TP206C, P206D/TP206D, P206E/TP206E, 207/T207, 207A/T207A, 210E, 210F, 210G, 210H, 210J, 210K/T210K, 210L/T210L, 210M/T210M, 210N/T210N, T210F, T210G, T210H, T210J, P210N, 337, 337A, 337B/T337B, M337B, 337C/T337C, 337D/T337D, 337E/T337E, 337F, T337F, 337G, 337H/T337H, T337H-SP, T337G, P337H, F337E/FT337E, F337F/FT337F, F337G, F337H, FTB337, FT337GP, and FT337HP.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, 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 with paragraph (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.

To prevent foreign material from entering the fuel system and engine, which could result in loss of engine power or complete engine stoppage during flight, accomplish the following:

NOTE 2: This AD allows the aircraft owner or pilot to check the maintenance records to determine whether a Cessna part number (P/N) 0756005-2 top assembly, Cessna P/N 0756005-8 fuel strainer assembly, or a Cessna P/N 0756005-9 fuel strainer assembly was installed after December 12, 1996. Those parts that were shipped between December 12, 1996, and September 5, 1997, may have been manufactured with an internal tube installed to a depth less than specified and may become loose and dislodge from the strainer top assembly. See paragraph (c) of this AD for authorization.

(a) Within the next 12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished, measure the standpipe in the fuel strainer assembly (tube in the filter strainer top assembly) for a visible maximum length of 1.68 inches, in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section and Detail A in Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin (SB) No. SEB97-9, dated November 17, 1997; or Cessna Multi-engine SB No. MEB97-12, dated November 17, 1997, whichever is applicable.

(b) If the standpipe does not measure a maximum length of 1.68 inches, prior to further flight, replace the filter strainer top assembly in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Cessna Single Engine SB No. SEB97-9, dated November 17, 1997; or Cessna Multi-engine SB No. MEB97-12, dated November 17, 1997, whichever is applicable.

(c) The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may check the maintenance records to determine whether a Cessna part number (P/N) 0756005-2 top assembly, Cessna P/N 0756005-8 fuel strainer assembly, or a Cessna P/N 0756005-9 fuel strainer assembly was installed after December 12, 1996. Those parts that were shipped between December 12, 1996, and September 5, 1997, may have been manufactured with an internal tube installed to a depth less than specified and may become loose and dislodge from the strainer top assembly. If, by checking the maintenance records, the owner/operator can make an absolute determination that one of these parts is not installed or was installed prior to December 12, 1996, the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD do not apply. The owner/operator must make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with this portion of the AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any of the affected Cessna airplanes, a fuel filter assembly where the maximum length of the standpipe does not measure 1.68 inches.

(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 time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Wichita ACO.

(g) The measurement and replacement required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin (SB) No. SEB97-9, dated November 17, 1997, or Cessna Multi-engine SB No. MEB97-12, dated November 17, 1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the Cessna Aircraft Company, P. O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 506, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

(h) This amendment becomes effective on May 5, 2000.

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