Remarks: The compliance of this AD must be recorded in Aircraft Logbook, where applicable the requirements of this AD must be integrated into Aircraft Technical Documentation. Address inquiries concerning this AD to: Civil Aviation Authority, Airworthiness Division, Ruzyne Airport, 160 08 Prague 6, Czech Republic, tel: 420 2 33320922, fax: 420 2 20562270.

AIRCRAFT TYPE: SAAB SF 340A and SAAB 340B

SERIAL No's AFFECTED: SAAB SF340A -004 through -159 with installed Refuel/Defuel Panel Part Number 7239160-505

SAAB 340B -160 through -459 with installed Refuel/Defuel Panel Part Number 7239160-505

SUBJECT: Fuel - Indication - Inspection of the electrical connector to the Refuel/Defuel Panel.

BACKGROUND: Service experience has shown that electrical shorts and arcing can occur at the Illuminated Placard Connector at the wing Refuel/Defuel Panel. These electrical shorts are caused by fluid ingress through the mounting hole to the unsealed Illuminated Placard Connector.

The Illuminated Placard is supplied with 28VDC power only when the Refuel/Defuel Panel Switch is selected to on. That is with the aircraft on the ground during refuelling or de-fuelling.

Electrical arcing at the Refuel/Defuel Panel Illuminated Placard Connector offers a potential ignition source for fuel vapours during fuelling procedures.

The Mandatory Service Bulletin Saab Aircraft AB SAAB 340-28-022 dated 25 February, 2000 describes the steps necessary to inspect and corrective action to the electrical connector at the Refuel/Defuel Panel Illuminated Placard.

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS: Saab Aircraft AB Mandatory Service Bulletin Saab 340-28-022 dated 25 February, 2000

ACTIONS: Perform actions described in Saab Aircraft AB Mandatory Service Bulletin Saab 340-28-022 dated 25 February, 2000 or later revision.

COMPLIANCE TIME: Inspection and corrective actions to be performed within 6 months from effective date of this SAD.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 2000-02-28