The owners of certain Cessna 172 and 206 models will be taking their planes into the shop soon to comply with a new Airworthiness Directive concerning torque tension on fittings of the fuel line attachment.
According to the FAA summary, the AD, for Cessna Models 172R, 172S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes, requires inspection of the two end fittings on each of the flexible fuel hoses located in the engine compartment for the correct torque values and, if any incorrect torque values are found during the inspection, set the fittings to the correct torque values.
This AD results from one report of loose fuel hose connections to the fuel injector servo on a Cessna Model 172S airplane.
According to Steven Charles, director of customer service for propeller aircraft at Cessna, the issue was brought to the company’s attention when a C-172 that left the factory in the Midwest for use at a flight school in Denver developed a power problem during a landing.
“In the process of trouble shooting the problem, which turned out to be a fairly routine adjustment of the fuel servo, it was discovered that the fuel service line was loose, but not leaking,” he said.
Incorrect torque values of the end fittings of flexible fuel hoses in the engine compartment could result in the loss of fuel flow and fuel leakage. Loss of fuel flow could result in partial or complete loss of engine power, while fuel leakage could result in an engine compartment fire.
According to Charles, Cessna decided to take a conservative approach to the problem and instigated a field sweep, mandating inspection of all single-engine aircraft that had left the factory in the preceding 12 months.
The inspection and retorquing of the fittings on each line involves removing the cowl and takes approximately 1.7 man-hours. Cessna is footing the bill.
“If the aircraft is operated under Part 91, the AD can be done during the annual inspection,” he said. “If it is at a flight school then it can be done during a 100-hour inspection.”
The AD went into effect Sept. 1 and involves some 1,156 airplanes.
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