Service difficulty report · Line · Cessna 310R

Difficulty date
March 14, 2020
Submitted
March 14, 2020
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N712CP
Make and model
Cessna 310R
Aircraft serial
310R0883
Aircraft time
4,353 hours
Part
Line
Condition
Corroded
Location
Zone 100
Component
Heater · Cessna
Component part number
0800400238
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
K, B
Precautionary procedure
H

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

PASSENGER IN CO PILOT SEAT NOTICED FUEL SMELL IN FLIGHT WITH COMBUSTION HEATER OPERATIONAL.HEATER WAS SECURED AND FUEL SMELL WENT AWAY .PILOT LEFT COMBUSTION HEATER SECURED AND AIRCRAFT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION. LOWER RIGHT UPHOLSTERY PANEL WAS REMOVED TO INSPECT HEATER FUEL LINE FROM THE FUSELAGE TO THE FWD BULKHEAD STA. 0.00. INSPECTED LINE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CESSNA MULTI ENGINE SERVICE BULLETIN MEB95-9.SOURCE OF FUEL SMELL WAS LOCATED VISUALLY A SMALL BLUE STAIN APPEARED ON THE SURFACE OF THE LINE NEAR WHAT APPEARED TO BE CORROSION,LIGHT SCRAPING WITH FINGERNAIL CAUSED THE UNDERLYING CORROSION PIT TO FREELY LEAK FUEL. THE AREA WHERE THIS LINE IS LOCATED IS BELOW AND FWD OF THE CABIN ENTRANCE DOOR AND ROUTED VERY CLOSELY TO THE SIDE WALL INSULATION AND NUMEROUS HOSES AND WIRES AND IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO MOISTURE IF THE DOOR IS NOT PROPERLY SEALING OR CLOSED. CESSNA SB MEB95-9 CALLED FOR AN INSPECTION OF THIS LINE FOR THIS REASON.THE BULLETIN CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ALUMINUM LINE WITH A LINE FABRICATED FROM 321 STAINLESS MATERIAL.AS THESE AIRCRAFT CONTINUE TO AGE THE CORROSION ISSUE WILL BECOME MORE OF A PROBLEM.THE BULLETIN CALL FOR AN INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY.I WOULD SUBMIT THIS MAY BE SOMETHING TO A MANDATORY LINE REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN DONE OR A REPETITIVE INSPECTION REQUIREMENT AT THE LEAST. THE PART WAS REPLACED AND THE FORWARD LINE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS BULLETIN.ESPECIALLY IF A FUEL SMELL IS NOTED IN THE CABIN.

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