AD/INST/41 - RAPCO Inline Pressure Filter (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Instruments and Automatic Pilots

AD/INST/41 RAPCO Inline Pressure Filter 11/97 TX

Applicability: All RAPCO Inc. filters, P/N RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6 and RA-1J4-7 ( Lot number 05597, 07797 and 12597).

Note: RAPCO filters are installed on but not limited to Cessna 310R, T310R, Beech E33A, F33A, V35A, V35B, 36, A36, 58, 65-B80, 70, 95-B55, D55, E55, Piper PA-31- 300, -325, PA-31P, PA-31P-350, PA-31T and PA-34-200T aircraft.

Requirement: Inspect the in-line pressure filter in accordance with FAA Priority Letter Airworthiness Directive 97-16-10 paras A and B dated July 31, 1997.

Note: FAA Priority Letter AD 97-16-10 dated July 31. 1997 refers. Copies may be obtained from the local CASA DO.

Compliance: Unless previously carried out, within 2 days from the effective date.

Background: The FAA has reported that several RAPCO in-line pressure filter housings that have been produced from the above Lot numbers with applicable P/Ns have cracked in flight. This will cause failure of the aircraft flight instruments and should this occur during IFR flight loss of aircraft control could occur.

Investigation traced the failure to a manufacturing change introduced to RAPCO Filters P/N RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6 and RA-1J4-7, from lot numbers 05597, 07797 and 12597, manufactured in February 1997.