# AD 81-15-03: Engine Inlet Air Filters - Type: Airworthiness directive - Status: Current - Products: Replace existing engine induction air filter (Brackett Aero Filters STC SA693CE or SA71GL) - Effective: July 20, 1981 - Published: July 13, 1981 - Issued: July 1, 1981 - Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD - Product type: Appliance - Amendment: 39-4160 - Registered aircraft: 44,764 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs) - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/7BA6FD8A49736CF386256A34006250FF.0001 - DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-15-03 ## The airworthiness directive 81-15-03 (BRACKETT AIRCRAFT COMPANY, INC. Brackett Aircraft Specialties, Inc.): Amendment 39-4160. Applies to Brackett Aircraft Company, Inc., engine inlet air filters installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA693CE and STC SA71GL on the following aircraft: Beech A65, 70, 65-B80, 65-88, C-23, A-24R, and B-24R; Bonanza 33, 35, and 36, all models; Cessna Model 120, 140, 140A, 150, 150B, 150C, 150D, 150E, 150F, 150G, 150H, 150J, 150K, 150L, 150M, A150L, and A150M, 170, 170A, 170B, 172, 172A, 172B, 172C, 172D, 172E, 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K, 172L, and 172M, 177, 177A, 177B, 177RG, and F177RG, 180C, 180D, 180E, 180F, 180G, 180H, 180J, 180K, 182B, 182C, 182D, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, 185, 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, 185E, and A185F, 210A, B, C, D, E, and 310A, B, C, D, F, G, H, I, J, K, L; Consolidated Aeronautics (Lake) LA4-200; Grumman American Model AA-1, AA-1A, AA-1B, and AA-5; Mooney M18C, M20, M20A, M20B, M20C, M20D, and M20G; Piper Model PA-20, PA-20-115, and PA-20-135, PA-23-150, 160, PA-24-180 to S/N 1477, PA31, 31-300, 31-350; and Varga (Shinn) Model 2150A, certificated in all categories. Compliance required as indicated, unless already accomplished. To prevent possible failure of the aluminum air filter retainer screen or gaskets with potential ingestion of the screen, filter element and/or gasket particles into the carburetor throat, which could result in partial or complete loss of engine power, accomplish the following: (a) Within 25 hours of time in service after the effective date of this AD, inspect aircraft as identified in Brackett Service Bulletin No. 3, Revision 1, dated March 1, 1979, or No. 6, Revision 1, dated June 29, 1981, as applicable, equipped with the Brackett Aircraft Company, Inc. engine inlet air filters, to determine (1) whether the air filter retainer screen is aluminum or steel, and (2) whether or not certain air filter frames incorporate a gasket retainer. Brackett filter assemblies Part Number BA 100, BA 2310, BA5710, BA 7110, BA 7210, BA 7310, BA 7410 and BA 7510 are required to have a gasket retainer incorporated. The gasket retainer may be a gasket retainer strip kit installed in accordance with Brackett Service Bulletin No. 5, dated July 28, 1980, or an extruded lip which is 1/32 inch high and an integral part of the filter frame furnished by Brackett Aircraft Company, Inc. NOTE: The aluminum air filter retainer screen can be identified by any one of the following: The screen has diamond shaped mesh with openings 1-3/4 inch x 3/4 inch; aluminum screen is not magnetic; the date of manufacture was ink stamped on each retainer and may still be legible. Only retainers dated August 1978 and earlier have aluminum mesh screen. NOTE: The steel retainer screen can be identified by any one of the following: The screen is 1/8 inch diamond mesh; the screen is magnetic; date of manufacture is ink stamped on each retainer and may still be legible. Retainers dated September 1978 and later have steel mesh screen. (b) A determination that the air filter retainer screen is steel and that a gasket retainer is incorporated in the filter frame constitutes terminating action for this AD. (c) Upon determination that the retainer screen is aluminum, visually inspect the aluminum retainer assembly for cracks or failed areas. (1) If cracks or failed areas are found, prior to further flight, replace the aluminum retainer screen assembly with a steel screen assembly kit in accordance with Brackett Service Bulletin No. 3, Revision 1 dated March 1, 1979 or No. 6, Revision 1 dated June 29, 1981, as applicable. Each model air filter requires that a different Brackett kit be installed to comply with this AD. (2) If cracks or failed areas are not found, the air filter assembly may be temporarily returned to service. Remove retainers with aluminum screen from service priorto the accumulation of 100 hours additional time in service. (d) After the inspection required in Paragraph (a) and upon determination that a gasket retainer is not incorporated in the filter retainer, prior to the accumulation of 25 additional hours of service, install gasket retainer strips in accordance with Brackett Service Bulletin No. 5 dated July 28, 1980. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate aircraft to a base for the accomplishment of inspections or modifications required by this AD. Alternative inspections, modifications or other actions which provide an equivalent level of safety may be used when approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA Western Region. The manufacturer's specifications and procedures identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1). All persons affected by this directive, who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer, may obtain copies upon request to: Brackett Aircraft Company, Inc., 5015 Roadrunner Drive, Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona 85205. These documents may also be examined at: FAA Western Region Office, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Hawthorne, California 90261 and at FAA Headquarters, 800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20591. A historical file on this AD, which includes the incorporated material in full, is maintained by the FAA at its Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and at FAA Western Region Office. This supersedes AD 78-25-05, Amendment 39-3365 (43 FR 57865). This amendment becomes effective July 20, 1981. ## Affected data sheets (27) (OpenAirDocs) The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names. - [TCDS 3A13](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A13): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 14 of 23 models: 182D, 182J, 182P, 182B, 182L, 182G, 182Q, 182N… - [TCDS 3A19](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A19): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 14 of 18 models: 150L, 150B, 150D, A150L, 150E, A150M, 150M, 150K… - [TCDS 3A12](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A12): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 13 of 18 models: 172F (USAF T-41A), 172M, 172K, 172G, 172A, 172L, 172, 172H (USAF T-41A)… - [TCDS 3A10](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A10): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 11 of 23 models: 310I, 310L, 310A, 310B, 310D, 310K, 310G, 310C… - [TCDS 5A6](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/5A6): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 8 of 11 models: 180E, 180J, 180F, 180H, 180D, 180K, 180G, 180C - [TCDS 3A24](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A24): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 7 of 8 models: 185B, A185F, 185E, 185C, 185A, 185D, 185 - [TCDS 2A3](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/2A3): Mooney International Corporation; names 6 of 17 models: M20D, M20A, M20B, M20C, M20, M20G - [TCDS 3A15](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A15): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 6 of 27 models: 35-C33A, 35-A33, 36, 35-C33, 35-33, 35-B33 - [TCDS 3A21](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A21): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 5 of 28 models: 210D, 210B, 210E, 210A, 210C - [TCDS 1A4](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/1A4): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 3 of 6 models: PA-20, PA-20-135, PA-20-115 - [TCDS 3A20](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A20): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 3 of 22 models: 65-88, 70, A65 - [TCDS A-799](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-799): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 3 of 3 models: 170, 170A, 170B - [TCDS A11EA](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A11EA): True Flight Holdings LLC; names 3 of 4 models: AA-1A, AA-1, AA-1B - [TCDS A13CE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A13CE): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 3 of 3 models: 177, 177A, 177B - [TCDS A1CE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A1CE): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 3 of 14 models: A24R, B24R, C23 - [TCDS A20SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A20SO): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 3 of 4 models: PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-350 - [TCDS 1A10](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/1A10): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 2 of 6 models: PA-23-160, PA-23 - [TCDS A-768](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-768): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 2 of 2 models: 140, 120 - [TCDS A-777](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-777): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 2 of 9 models: 35R, 35 - [TCDS 1A13](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/1A13): Revo Incorporated; names 1 of 7 models: Lake LA-4-200 - [TCDS 1A15](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/1A15): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 1 of 4 models: PA-24 - [TCDS 4A19](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/4A19): Augustair Inc.; names 1 of 3 models: 2150A - [TCDS 5A2](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/5A2): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 1 of 1 models: 140A - [TCDS A-803](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-803): Mooney Mite Aircraft Corporation; names 1 of 4 models: M-18C - [TCDS A16EA](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A16EA): True Flight Holdings LLC; names 1 of 4 models: AA-5 - [TCDS A20CE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A20CE): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 1 of 1 models: 177RG - [TCDS A26EU](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A26EU): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 1 of 1 models: F177RG ## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs) Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. - Aircraft: 44,764 (44,764 by airframe model, 0 by engine model) - Makers: Cessna 38,555, Beech 1,824, Mooney 1,693, Piper 1,435, American 513, Grumman American Avn. 489, Consolidated Aeronautics 139, Varga 86, Morrisey 18, Aerostar Acft Corp Of Texas 6 Models with the most aircraft: - [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 3,573 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p): 2,099 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172): 1,805 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140): 1,603 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q): 1,565 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l): 1,447 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m): 1,439 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b): 1,299 aircraft (airframe model) - [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c): 1,258 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f): 1,109 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f): 1,063 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k): 1,026 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g): 977 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l): 857 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b): 843 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg): 787 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h): 780 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h): 756 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g): 722 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f): 717 aircraft (airframe model) All 135 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-15-03/models.md Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-15-03/aircraft.md ## Related documents - [STC SA693CE](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA693CE): Replace existing engine induction air filter with AC Spark Plug filter.. Brackett Aero Filters Inc., Named in the applicability - [STC SA71GL](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA71GL): Installation of air filters. Brackett Aero Filters Inc., Named in the applicability ## NTSB investigations that cite this AD (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB DEN86LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA105), Mar 29, 1986: Cessna 177B (CGIJZ), Aztec, NM, substantial damage - [NTSB ATL83FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA133), Mar 10, 1983: Grumman American AA-1B (N6266L), Chesapeake, VA, substantial damage --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.