GROUPEMENT POUR LA SECURITE A V I A T I O N BI 2008/45 C I V I L E BULLETIN D'INFORMATION GSAC Edité par : DGAC FRANCE Le : 13 AOUT 2008 OBJET : SIN EASA 2008-20 : FILTRES SUPPRESSEURS DE TENSIONS TRANSITOIRES MATERIELS CONCERNES : Avions Cirrus SR20, SR22, Piper PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, PA-44 et PA-46 et Diamond DA-40. L AESA a diffusé la Safety Information Notice 2008-20. Cette SIN reprend les SAIB de la FAA n CE-08-12, CE-08-13 et CE-08-14. La SIN et les SAIB sont en pièces jointes. 1/5
EASA Safety Information Notice No.: 2008-20 Issued: 07 March 2008 Subject: Failure of Transient Voltage Suppressors Ref. Publications: FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIB) CE-08-12, CE-08-13 and CE-08-14; and Cirrus Design Corporation Service Advisory (SA) 07-17, Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin 1187, and Garmin Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 0738 Revision B. : This SIN refers to FAA SAIB Nos. CE-08-12, CE-08-13 and CE-08-14 (attached to this document as pages 2 through 6). These documents advise aircraft owners of an airworthiness concern where possible failure of a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) may result in an increase in workload for the pilot. Applicability: Affected aircraft as indicated in the respective FAA SAIB documents. Recommendation: This Safety Information Notice is for information only. Contact: For further information contact the Airworthiness Directives, Safety and Research Section, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu 2/5
SAIB: CE-08-12 This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advises you of an airworthiness concern on Cirrus Design Corporation (CDC) Models SR20 and SR22 airplanes where possible failure of a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) may result in an increase in workload for the pilot. This airworthiness action has been taken after consideration of the responses from CDC as well as airplane owners/ operators through relevant associations and type clubs, using the procedures found in the Small CDC notified the Federal Aviation Administration of the failure of a TVS on a CDC Model SR22 airplane, which resulted in loss of NAV/COM1 functionality and some smoke and fumes within the cockpit. Since that time, 14 other TVS s have failed on CDC airplanes in the field. Other airplanes equipped with TVSs from the same manufacturer have recently experienced failures. Our findings thus far, show that the electronic component itself is the primary suspect for a cause of the failures. To date, no specific reason has been positively identified for the failures although several companies are working on the problem. As previously mentioned, no other functionality other than the NAV/COMM 1 has been lost on a CDC airplane. All CDC airplanes have redundancy with a NAV/COMM 2 available. Also, in all known occurrences of TVS failures, the smoke and fumes have been noted to be of short duration and not sufficient to impede the pilots visibility, or toxic such that the pilot s ability to operate the airplane is impaired. Recommendations We recommend that all CDC airplane owner/operators thoroughly read Cirrus service advisory SA 07-17, dated September 11, 2007. The service advisory provides good information on what to expect should a TVS failure occur and what actions should be taken by the pilot. Wesley Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Chicago Aircraft Certification, 2300 E. Devon, Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: (847) 294-8113; email: wess.rouse@faa.gov 3/5
SAIB: CE-08-13 This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advises you of an airworthiness concern on Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-28-161 (Warrior III), PA-28-181 (Archer III), PA-28R-201 (Arrow), PA- 32R-301 (Saratoga II TC), PA-32R-301T (Saratoga II HP), PA-32-301FT (6X), PA-32-301XTC (6XT), PA-34-200T (Seneca V), PA-44-180 (Seminole), PA-46-350P (Mirage), and PA- 46-500TP (Meridian) airplanes where possible failure of a Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) may result in an increase in workload for the pilot. This airworthiness action has been taken after consideration of the responses from Piper as well as airplane owners/operators through relevant associations and type clubs, using the procedures found in the Small Piper aircraft equipped with particular Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) devices have been failing in the field. The TVS failure may result in the loss of Primary Flight Display (PFD) function due to circuit breaker trip, as well as smoke or the smell of smoke in the cockpit. There have been 11 reported field failures of TVS devices in Piper airplanes as of the issuance of this SAIB. The defective TVS devices have been isolated by Piper to discrete manufacturing lots. The aircraft serial numbers affected by Piper Service Bulletin No. 1187 is limited to the defective lots. Recommendations Per Piper Service Bulletin No. 1187 (dated February 8, 2008), we recommend that you inspect and determine the lot number printed on the TVS device(s) installed on your aircraft. If the TVS device(s) lot number match those specified by the referenced service bulletin, we recommend you remove and replace the TVS device(s) per the Piper service bulletin. Kenneth Mobley, Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA/DOT, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suit 450, Atlanta, GA 30349; phone: 770-703-6046; email: kenneth.mobley@faa.gov For Related Service Information Contact PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC. Attn: Customer Service 2926 Piper Drive Vero Beach, FL 32960 4/5
SAIB: CE-08-14 This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs you of an airworthiness concern regarding Diamond Models DA 40 and DA 40F airplanes equipped with Garmin G1000 installations per Garmin Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA01254WI and STC SA01389WI where possible failure of a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) may result in an increase in workload for the pilot. This airworthiness action has been taken after consideration of the responses from airplane owners/operators through relevant associations and type clubs, using the procedures found in the Small Diamond DA 40 and DA 40F airplanes equipped with TVS s installed per Garmin STC SA01254WI and STC SA01389WI have been reported failing in the field. A failed TVS causes momentary smoke in the cockpit and/or loud popping sound. Additionally, failures of these devices can lead to loss of the standby attitude indicator and/or audio panel due to the inability to provide continuous power since this equipment is installed without a fuse to remove the TVS from the circuit in the event of a TVS failure. Recommendation Per Garmin Service Bulletin No. 0738, revision B, dated October 31, 2007, we recommend you inspect to determine the date codes of any TVS installed on your airplane. If any installed devices fall within the date code specified by the referenced service bulletin, we recommend you remove and replace the TVS as needed. The service bulletin also specifies that you send a record of the completed inspection to Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., Canada. Garmin owns the STC and is working with Diamond to assure compliance and proper support of the issue. We also recommend that you complete the inspection per the above referenced Garmin service bulletin within the next 60 days or 10 hours, whichever comes first. Daniel Hilton, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, KS 67209, telephone: (316) 946-4173, fax: (316) 946-4107, e-mail: daniel.hilton@faa.gov. For Related Service Information Contact Customer Support DIAMOND AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES, INC. 1560 Crumlin Sideroad London, Ontario, Canada N5V 1S2 Phone: 519-457-4041 Fax: 519-457-4045 Email: custsupp@diamondair.com 5/5