The bulletin
Text extracted from the PDF.
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-00-25 July 27, 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 inform the users of ARTEX ELT equipment in small airplanes of problems that have occurred in the fleet.
BACKGROUND There have been some reports of ARTEX 110-4 ELT battery packs venting and leaking acid into the battery case. This condition appears to be aggravated by the presence of moisture, which, in combination with the acid, is thought to cause the plastic battery case to break down and release corrosive material or failed case segments into the airplane. In one case, a broken particle from the case became lodged in the rudder control cable of the airplane, chipping the pulley.
The intrusion of moisture into the case seems more prevalent in aircraft that commonly fly at high altitudes, such as pressurized aircraft. The changes of pressure across the battery box seal create an inflow of air on descent if the seal leaks. The airflow may carry moisture that later condenses and accumulates in the case.
The problem has been reported to date on Piper aircraft, but these same conditions may occur on aircraft of other manufacture.
RECOMMENDATION The FAA is recommending, but not requiring, that owners/operators of aircraft using an ARTEX ELT with a P/N 452-0130 battery pack periodically inspect the ELT battery pack case using the procedures outlined by ARTEX Inc. Product Advisory notice #0002. The FAA recommends the inspection be made at least at each 100 flight hour interval and at each annual inspection. If inspection warrants corrective action, replace the part with Artex P/N 452-0130 manufactured after April 1998, or equivalent part, which contains a Room Temperature Vulcanization (RTV) sealant. For Piper aircraft with the ARTEX part, the Piper Battery Pack P/N 758-696 Rev N3 is equivalent, and Piper Service Bulletin No. 1020 dated 7/10/98 is applicable.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Attention: Mr. Sarjapur Nagarajan, ACE 112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106, telephone (816) 329-4145, fax (816) 329-4090.
Copies of ARTEX, Inc. Product Advisory Notice #0002 can be obtained from ARTEX Inc., 10714 South Township Road, Canby, OR 97013 (800) 547-8901.