The bulletin
Text extracted from the PDF.
FAA Aviation Safety
SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Fire Bottle, Portable SAIB: CE-18-05 Date: November 21, 2017 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advises general aviation pilots and operators of concerns with certain Kidde fire extinguishers with plastic handles, which may become clogged or require excessive force to discharge and can fail to activate during a fire emergency.
At this time, the airworthiness concern is not considered an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.
Background
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall on November 2, 2017, for two styles of Kidde fire extinguishers: plastic handle fire extinguishers and push-button Pindicator fire extinguishers. The recalled fire extinguishers may be installed in general aviation aircraft.
The plastic handle fire extinguishers involve 134 models manufactured between January 1, 1973, and August 15, 2017. The recall summary notes that there have been approximately 391 reports of failed or limited activation or nozzle detachments. A complete list of affected Kidde fire extinguisher models along with contact information can be accessed on the Internet at the following link:
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/kidde-recalls-fire-extinguishers-with-plastic-handles-due-to-failureto-discharge-and
Many general aviation pilots and operators may be unaware of the recall.
Recommendations
The FAA recommends that general aviation pilots, operators, and mechanics check all aircraft that you own or maintain, and if a Kidde fire extinguisher model on the recall list is installed, replace it with an airworthy fire extinguisher not affected by the recall.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission recall summary provides instructions on how to request a replacement extinguisher from Kidde.
For Further Information Contact
Barry Ballenger, Aerospace Engineer, Small Airplane Standards Branch, AIR-690, FAA, 901 Locust Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; phone: (816) 329-4152; email: barry.ballenger@faa.gov.