SAIB CE-15-10

FAA Aviation Safety

SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Hoses and Tubes – Eaton Aerospace (Aeroquip) SAIB: CE-15-10 Date: March 6, 2015 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin is being issued to advise you of an airworthiness concern on aircraft that have certain Eaton (Aeroquip) 800 series fuel, oil, or hydraulic fluid hoses installed in an area that requires a fire-resistant or fireproof hose. The affected hoses are within the following product type numbers produced from July 2009 – September 2014:

• AE866

• AE846

• AE818

At this time, the airworthiness concern has not yet been determined to be an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39. This issue is still under review to determine whether AD action may need to be taken on specific airplane or engine applications.

Background

Eaton discovered, during product testing, that silicone insulating coatings on certain part number hoses within their 800 series family may not meet fireproof or in certain cases fire-resistant standards.

Eaton has determined that this shortfall is a result of a manufacturing change introduced in July 2009.

Due to material variability, some of the affected hoses may not be able to meet certain fire resistance requirements designed to prevent spraying flammable fluid onto an existing fire. The ability to demonstrate compliance is installation specific as it is effected by the pressure and flow seen by each hose in addition to the material composition.

Recommendations

For any location where a fire-resistant or fireproof hose is needed and an affected hose (produced between July 2009 and September 2014) is installed, the FAA recommends that the hose be replaced or modified to a configuration that complies with the applicable fireproof or fire resistance standards.

Any modifications should be performed in accordance with FAA-approved service instructions and, depending on your specific insulation requirements, may include measures such as adding an insulating sleeve or wrap to provide the necessary protection. The subject hose could also be removed and replaced with a hose that complies with the applicable TSO requirements or is otherwise FAA- approved for your particular installation. Eaton is working with type design holders to assist them in developing service bulletins specific to individual installations. Contact Eaton for technical recommendations and instructions specific to your application.

For Further Information Contact

Christopher Richards, Senior Aerospace Engineer, 2300 E Devon Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018;

phone: (847) 294-7156; fax: (847) 294-7834; e-mail: christopher.j.richards@faa.gov

2 For Related Service Information Contact

Kevin Pike, Eaton Aerospace Group, 300 S. East Avenue, Jackson, MI 49203;

phone: (517) 789-2764