SAIB CE-03-23

SPECIAL

AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION

BULLETIN Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration No. CE-03-23 February 18, 2003 We post SAIBs on the internet at "av-info.faa.gov" This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) provides safety information to you, owners and operators of Cessna Model 310 aircraft, regarding preflight checks and maintenance inspections for the proper stowage of the manual emergency gear extension handle.

Background This action is presented in response to an operator’s safety concern with the possibility of the manual emergency gear extension handle not being stowed properly before initiating the takeoff. Not stowing the handle properly could also interfere with the fuel selector. If the handle is left unseated, there is the potential that operation of the primary gear motor may rotate the handle causing it to extend and strike the left engine fuel selector, and drive the selector to the off position. If the handle is not stowed, the pilot may not be able to raise the landing gear. If the left engine is shutoff by the rotating handle, the pilot will be in the flying condition of the landing gear extended, with the inability to raise the gear, and the left engine shut down.

Recommendation The FAA recommends that all Cessna 310 pilots verify that the manual emergency gear extension handle is properly stowed during the preflight check before every flight. After doing any maintenance in the cockpit all maintenance personnel should verify the manual gear extension handle is properly stowed before exiting the aircraft.

For Further Information Contact:

David Hirt, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office; 1801 Airport Rd, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas, 67209, telephone (316) 946-4156, email: david.hirt@faa.gov