Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19645 · Fuel distribution
Aviat Aircraft Inc. Airplanes
This AD applies to Aviat Aircraft Inc. (Aviat) Models A-1C-180 and A-1C-200 airplanes, serial numbers 3181 through 3282, certificated in any category, that are equipped with a Rapco part number (P/N) RA1798-00-1 fuel vent check valve on one or both wings.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Aviat Aircraft Inc. Models A-1C-180 and A-1C-200 airplanes equipped with a Rapco part number RA1798-00-1 fuel vent check valve installed on either wing or both. This AD was prompted by a report that the fuel tank vent check valves are sticking in the closed position causing fuel starvation to the engine. This AD requires revision of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to add a pre-flight check of the fuel vent check valves for proper operation and replacing any inoperative fuel vent check valve with an airworthy part. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Before further flight after July 22, 2019 (the effective date of this AD), revise the airplane flight manual (AFM) as follows:
(1) Insert into the Limitations Section of the AFM steps 1 through 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Aviat Aircraft Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 33, Initial Release, dated November 11, 2016 (Aviat SB, No. 33, IR).
(2) Immediately following steps 1 through 3, add the following language to the Limitations Section of the AFM: Step 4. If there is a stuck fuel vent check valve, it must be replaced in accordance with AD 2019-10-06 before further flight.
(3) This AFM revision requires preflight checks of the fuel vent check valve on each wing. This insertion and the steps therein may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate. The AFM revision must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
If a fuel vent check valve is not operating properly, before further flight, remove the inoperative valve by following steps 5 and 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Aviat SB, No. 33, IR.
Before further flight after removing any inoperative fuel vent check valve as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, replace it with an airworthy fuel vent check valve by following step 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Aviat SB, No. 33, IR. If both fuel vent check valves, Rapco P/N RA1798-00-1, are replaced with Aviat P/N 38266-501 fuel vent check valves, you may remove the AFM revisions required by paragraph (g)(1) and (2) of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
