SAIB CE-00-17

SPECIAL

AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION

BULLETIN

REGULATORY SUPPORT DIVISION P.O. BOX 26460 OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73125-0460

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

No. CE-00-17 March 17, 2000

SAIB’s are posted on the internet at http://av-info.faa.gov This is issued for informational purposes only and any recommendation for corrective action is not mandatory.

Introduction:

The purpose of this Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) is to alert owners/operators of American General (Gulfstream/Grumman American) AA-5, AA-5A and AA-5B models of a situation that may exist on their airplanes. This condition may result in the in-flight loss of all engine oil and/or some loss of fuel into the cabin area. This information is advisory in nature and not mandated by regulation.

Background:

There have been reports of the in-flight loss of all engi ne oil and/or some loss of fuel into the cabin area.

The subject aircraft have rigid aluminum fuel and oil lines that feed to each respective pressure gauge. These lines were originally wrapped with a foam protective tape in the area forward of each pressure gauge. This foam tape has deteriorated with age and in some cases allowed contact between the defrost hose and the pressure line. Again, because of deterioration with age and probable relative motion between the two lines, steel wire reinforcing in the defrost hose can make c ontact with the pressure line, setting up dissimilar metal corrosion causing subsequent sudden failure of the pressure line. Each pressure line has a restrictor fitting on the engine and carburetor to prevent rapid loss of e ngine fluids in case of a line failure; however, some reports indicate that all engine oil has been lost in just a few minutes even with the restrictor in place.

Note: The AG-5B aircraft do not have pressure lines in th e cabin and, therefore, are not subject to this recommendation.

Recommendation:

Based on currently available information, the F AA is only recommending the following actions; however, the FAA will continue this investigation. Issuan ce of an Airworthiness Directive may be found to be warranted based on analysis of new information.

The FAA recommends that the inspection and repair, if necessary, specified in Fl etchAir, Inc. Critical Service Bulletin, SB 188, dated December 15, 1999, be accomplished at the next scheduled inspection and thereafter, at each annual inspection.

Copies of FletchAir, Inc SB 188 may be obtained by calling the FletchAir, Inc. Parts Department at

(713) 641-2023 or by mail at: FletchAir, Inc., 9000 Randolph Street, Houston, TX 77061.

For Further Information Contact:

Donald J. Young, Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta Aircra ft Certification Office; FAA Small Aircraft Directorate; One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix B oulevard, Suite 450; Atlanta, Georgia 30349;

Telephone: (770) 703-6079; Facsimile: (770) 703-6097; email: donald.young@faa.gov

CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICE

Airworthiness Directives (AD) for a particular make and m odel of aircraft are mailed to the aircraft owners using the permanent mailing address on file with the FAA Registry. If you need to change your address, please complete this form and mail to FAA Aircraft Registration. A revised Certif icate of Aircraft Registration will be mailed to you without charge.

Signature requirements:

— Individual owner must sign.

— Partnership, a general partner must sign.

— Co-owner, each co-owner must si gn, continuing as necessary on an attached sheet.

— Government, any authorized person may sign.

MAIL TO:

FAA Aircraft Registry, AFS-750 Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center P.O. Box 25504 Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504 AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION NO.

SERIAL NO.

MAKE

MODEL

ADDRESS CHANGE REQUESTED

NAME AND ADDRESS OF CERTIFICATE HOLDER

___________________________________________________________ STREET

___________________________________________________________ CITY

___________________________________________________________

STATE ZIP COUNTRY

SIGNATURE (In Ink)

TITLE

DATE

CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION REQUESTED:

(check applicable block, sign, and date)

¨ 1. Aircraft sold to: (Purchaser's name and address)

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

¨ 2. Aircraft destroyed/scrapped

¨ 3. Aircraft exported to _______________________________________________

¨ 4. Other, specify ___________________________________________________

I (we) request cancellation of registration for the above reason.

SIGNATURE (In Ink)

TITLE

DATE

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration

FIRST-CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE & FEES PAID FAA PERMIT NO. G44

Regulatory Support Division P.O. Box 26460 Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0460 AFS-610

Official Business Penalty for Private Use $300

FLIGHT INFORMATION

CRITICAL TO

FLYING SAFETY URGENT

FORWARD TO AIRCRAFT

OPERATOR