SAIB CE-03-55

SPECIAL

AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION

BULLETIN

Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

No. CE-03-55 September 18, 2003 We post SAIBs on the internet at www.airweb.faa.gov This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts repair stations, mechanics holding Inspection Authorization (IA) and Principal Maintenance Inspectors (PMI) in the Flight Standard District Offices (FSDO) of service difficulties and safety issues associated with Aerostar PA-600, -601, -601P, -602P and -700P (Piper) aircraft that have been modified to include Machen Inc. Kit No. 76-1 Auxiliary Fuel Tank installed in the baggage compartment per STC SA1608NM.

Background Machen Inc. has received reports of the fuel transfer pump leaking fuel through the wire insulation and seeping out through the knife splice connection. As a result, Machen Inc. issued Service Bulletin SB76-009, “Auxiliary Fuel Transfer Pump Inspection for Fuel Leak” dated August 1, 2003, which specifies repetitive inspections of the fuel transfer pumps mounted on the auxiliary fuel tank.

Recommendation The FAA strongly recommends that starting within the next 10 hours of flight, and every fifty hours of flight time thereafter, you accomplish the actions specified in Machen Inc. Service Bulletin SB76 009, “Auxiliary Fuel Transfer Pump Inspection for Fuel Leak” dated August 1, 2003. These actions will help ensure the continued airworthiness of your airplane.

For Further Information Contact Richard Simonson, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Ave SW, Renton WA 98055;

telephone: (425) 917-6507; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: richard.simonson@faa.gov

For Copies of the Service Bulletin, Contact Machen Inc., 10555 Airport Drive, Hayden Lake ID 83835; phone (208) 762-7814; fax

(208) 762-8349