What was found
DURING TROUBLESHOOTING FOR EXCESSIVE MAGNETO DROP, FOUND FACE OF AIR FILTER ELEMENT DETERIORATED. THE INSTALLATION IS FOR A BRACKETT FILTER. REMOVED ELEMENT AND FOUND THAT ELEMENT WAS AN UNAPPROVED PART. THE (FILTER) WAS HAND CUT FROM A PIECE OF GREEN FOAM .6250 INCH THICK. IT APPEARS THE FACE OF THE FOAM WAS PAINTED BLACK SO AS TO LOOK LIKE A GENUINE BRACKETT FILTER. HAD THE FILTER DETERIORATED, INGESTION IN THE CARBURETOR COULD HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITH POTENTIAL FATAL RESULTS. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND REPRESENTS A LACK OF REGARD FOR SAFETY. NO LOGBOOK ENTRY COULD BE FOUND FOR RECENT INSTALLATION OF FILTER. ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS SIGNED OFF IN AUGUST OF 2004.