Revises CAA-T-AD-4-077/98

Date of issue: March 29, 2000

Applicability: Inflatable door seals, installed either in accordance with the applicable supplemental type certificate (STC) or through field approval.

Effective date: May 18, 2000.

Compliance : Required as indicated in FAA AD 98-21-21R1 (attachment this AD).

98-21-21 R1 BOB FIELDS AEROCESSORIES: Amendment 39-11621; Docket No. 98-CE-88-AD; Revises AD 98-21-21, Amendment 39-10844.

Applicability: Electric inflatable door seals, installed either in accordance with the applicable supplemental type certificate (STC) or through field approval, that are installed on, but not limited to, the following aircraft:

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision that has the affected inflatable door seals installed, 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, unless already accomplished.

To prevent smoke and a possible fire in the cockpit caused by overheating of the electric door seal inflation systems, which could result in passenger injury, accomplish the following:

(a) Prior to further flight after October 30, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-21-21), deactivate the electric door seal inflation system by accomplishing the following:

"ELECTRIC DOOR SEAL INFLATION SYSTEM INOPERATIVE"

"ELECTRIC DOOR SEAL INFLATION SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. THIS AIRPLANE CAN ONLY BE OPERATED IN UNPRESSURIZED FLIGHT"

(b) Prior to further flight after October 30, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-21-21), insert a copy of this AD into the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM).

NOTE 2: The prior to further flight compliance time of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD is being retained from AD 98-21-21. The only substantive difference between this AD and AD 98-21-21 is the addition of the alternative method of compliance referenced in paragraph (c) of this AD.

NOTE 3: This AD only applies to those aircraft equipped with the Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals. With this in mind, the owner/operator also has the option of removing all provisions of the Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals installation, and installing original equipment manufacturer door seals or an FAA-approved equivalent that is of a different design than the referenced Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals.

(c) One of the following actions may be accomplished as an alternative method of compliance to the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD. No further action is required by this AD as long as one of these configurations remains incorporated on the aircraft.

(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any aircraft, a Bob Fields Aerocessories electric door seal inflation system unless the actions specified in Bob Fields Aerocessories Service Bulletin No. BFA-001, Date: November 3, 1998, are incorporated.

(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 times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712.

NOTE 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

(g) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of the document referred to herein upon request to Bob Fields Aerocessories, 340 East Santa Maria St., Santa Paula, California 93060; or may examine this document(s) at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 506, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

(h) This amendment revises AD 98-21-21, Amendment 39-10844.

(i) This amendment becomes effective on May 1, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

George Y. Mabuni, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone: (562) 627-5341; facsimile: (562) 627-5210.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 2, 2000.

Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.