Piston engine fuel injection AD: merged threads

[mickjoebill]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/13/2188944.htm

Rather sketchy report mentions engine gasket problem just identified in the states. Could piston engine helis be affected too?

Mickjoebill

[JezusNut]

This reported on stuff.co.nz today as well....



About 326 planes and helicopters are grounded today until a plug in their fuel injection system is checked.
An emergency airworthiness directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Authority last night after US authorities recorded 18 incidents of a gasket inside the fuel injection system failing on some Lycoming engines, some Teledyne Continental reciprocating engines and some Superior Airparts reciprocating engines.
CAA spokesman Bill Sommer said the move would affect operators of some tourist flights and other commercial operators.
It doesn't affect aircraft powered by jet engines used in most domestic passenger services. The engines being checked are piston engines.
The directive was sent to 225 owners and operators of aircraft.
Mr Sommer said CAA did not like the word grounded but he said the aircraft could not fly until the plug in the fuel injection system was checked.
If the plug was loose it could let air into the fuel injection system which reduced the power of an aircraft and could cause engine failure, he said.
None of the recorded incidents was fatal.
The engines need to have been rebuilt, serviced, overhauled, repaired or bought new since August 22, 2006, to be affected.
The United States alerted New Zealand, Australia and other countries to the problem yesterday and New Zealand issued the directive as a result.
- NZPA

[CYHeli]

An exemption to the repositioning has been issued by CASA
http://casa.gov.au/rules/miscinst/2008/CASAEX20.pdf (http://casa.gov.au/rules/miscinst/2008/CASAEX20.pdf)

It includes the following instructions;
"...The aircraft may only carry the flight crew essential for its operation.
Each member of the flight crew must:
(a) be a volunteer who has agreed, in writing without prejudice, to participate in the flight: and ..."

Arse covering by CA$A?

[RobboRider]

I got an email from AOPA (Aust version) and they reckon less than 200 aircraft will actually be affected in Oz.

The exemption to fly the aircraft from present location to nearest maintenance place after a pilot check of plug seems like a sensible response to me. Doesn't really sound like arse covering - complete prohibition of flight is arse covering.

[HeliCraig]

Anyone know if the UK CAA or EASA have issued a similar AD ?

[JimBall]

EASA issuing in the next week or so.

[tinyjohnston]

Hey
Just wondering if anybody knows of the new AD number that is grounding 44's until inspection??

Thanks

Tiny

[ketchup]

Spoke to Heliair this evening and was told that our machine is fine until the next 50hr or oil change, which ever comes first. The AD seems a little confusing,I Believe it only applies to Raven 2's.
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/0/2321ade8b9025a138625740a00622e71/$FILE/2008-06-51_Emergency.pdf

[muffin]

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library%5CrgAD.nsf/0/2321ADE8B9025A138625740A00622E71?OpenDocument

[Runway101]

I Believe it only applies to Raven 2's

Since it seems to be a problem with certain Precision Airmotive LLC RSA-5 and RSA-10 series fuel injection servos, and only the Raven 2 and Clipper 2 are fuel injected, I believe you are right. Raven 1 and Astro should be fine.

Thread on Robinson Helicopters Owners Group where it has been confirmed for a Raven 2:
http://www.robinsonhelicopters.org/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=28&topic=388

[manfromuncle]

Clipper II as well i assume?

[Runway101]

Correct, forgot about that one.

[500e]

Plenty of time for the Euro ones to fall out then :suspect: