AD/ELECT/70 Amdt 2 - Inflatable Door Seal System

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

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Electrical Equipment

 

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE


For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive AD/ELECT/70 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

 

AD/ELECT/70

Amdt 2


Inflatable Door Seal System 1/2001

 

Applicability: Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seal systems installed either in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) or through FAA field approval, that are installed on but not limited to, the following aircraft:

 

Affected STC Make and Model Aircraft Affected

 

SA3735NM Cessna Models 170, 170A, and 170B

 

SA4136WE  Cessna Models 310, 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D, 310E, 310F, 310G, 310H, 310I, 310J, 310K, 310L, 310N, 310P, 310Q, 310R, T310P, T310Q, and T310R

 

SA2226NM Cessna Models P210N and P210R

 

SA3736NM Cessna Models 185, 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, A185E, and A185F

 

SA4177WE Cessna Models 175, 175A, 175B, and 175C

 

SA4212WE  Cessna Models 210, 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, 210E, 210F, 210G, 210H, 210J, 210K, 210L, 210M, 210N, T210F, T210G, T210H, T210J, T210K, T210L, T210M, T210N, 210-5 (205), and 210-5A (205A)

 

SA4283WE  Cessna Models 172, 172A, 172B, 172C, 172D, 172E, 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K, 172L, 172M, and 172N

 

SA4284WE  Cessna Models 180, 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D, 180E, 180F, 180G, 180H, 180J, and 180K

 

SA4285WE  Cessna Models 182, 182A, 182B, 182C, 182D, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, R182, and TR182

 

 

SA4286WE Cessna Models 206, P206, P206A, P206B, P206C, P206D, P206E, TP206A, TP206B, TP206C, TP206D, TP206E, U206, U206A, U206B, U206C, U206D, U206E, U206F, U206G, TU206A, TU206B, TU206C, TU206D, TU206E, TU206F, and TU206G

 

SA4287WE  Cessna Models 320, 320A, 320B, 320C, 320D, 320E, 320F, and 320-1

 

SA4180WE  Raytheon (Beech) Models H35, J35, K35, M35, N35, P35, S35, V35, V35A, V35B, 35-33, 35-A33, 35-B33, 35-C33, 35-C33A, E33, E33A, E33C, F33, F33A, F33C, G33, 36, A36, A36TC, and B36TC

 

SA4184WE  Raytheon (Beech) Models 95, B95, B95A, E95, 95-55, 95-A55, 95- B55, 95-B5A, 95-B55B, 95-C55, D55, E55, 56TC, 58, and 58A

SA4239WE Raytheon (Beech) Models 58P, 58PA, 58TC, and 58TCA SA4240WE Raytheon (Beech) Models 50, B50, C50, D50, D50A, D50B, D50C,

D50E, D50E-5990, E50, F50, G50, H50, and J50

 

SA4282WE Raytheon (Beech) Models 35, A35, B35, C35, D35, E35, F35, G35,

and 35R

 

SA4178WE  Mooney Models M20, M20A, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, and M20K

 

SA4234WE  The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-34-200, PA-34- 200T, and PA-34-220T

 

SA4179WE Piper Models PA-24, PA-24-250, PA-24-260, and PA-24-400 SA4235WE Piper Models PA-44-180 and PA-44-180T

SA4236WE  Piper Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA- 28-235, PA-28-151, PA-28-181, PA-28-161, PA-28-236, PA-28-

201T, PA-285-160, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, PA-28R-180, PA-

28R-200, PA-28R-201, PA-28R-201T, PA-28RT-201, and PA-

28RT-201T

 

SA4237WE  Piper Models PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, and PA- E23-250

 

SA4238WE Piper Models PA-30, PA-39, and PA-40

 

 

SA4385WP Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350

 

SA4288WE  Piper Models PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32-301, PA-32-301T, PA-32R-300, PA-32R-301, PA-32R-301T, PA-32RT- 300, and PA-32RT-300T

 

SA2511NM Bellanca Models 17-30, 17-31, and 17-31TC SA2510NM  Bellanca Models 17-30A, 17-31A, and 17-31ATC SA4316WE               Wing Aircraft Company Model D-1

Requirement: 1. Unless already accomplished in accordance with previous issues of this Directive, deactivate the electric door seal inflation system by accomplishing the following:

 

  1. Disconnect the battery.

 

b.    Locate the air pump and identify the power wire to the air pump.

 

c.    Trace the power wire to its connection to the aircraft’s original electrical power system. Disconnect the power wire at its attachment to the aircraft’s electrical power system and stow the wire end.

 

d.    Reconnect the battery before returning the aircraft to service.

 

2.    For non-pressurised aircraft or for aircraft that have an operating manual door seal inflation system, unless already accomplished in accordance with previous issues of this Directive:

 

  1. Fabricate a placard that incorporates the following words utilising letters that are at least 2.5mm (0.1 inches) in height and install the placard on the instrument panel within the pilot’s clear view:

 

“ELECTRIC DOOR SEAL INFLATION SYSTEM INOPERATIVE”

 

b.    Add the following statement to the Limitations section of the Flight Manual:

 

“ELECTRIC DOOR SEAL INFLATION SYSTEM INOPERATIVE”

 

This task may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Airworthiness Directive into the Limitations section of the Flight Manual.

 

3.    For pressurised aircraft or for aircraft that do not have an operating manual door seal inflation system unless already accomplished in accordance with previous issues of this Directive:

 

 

  1. Fabricate a placard that incorporates the following words utilising letters that are at least 2.5mm (0.1 inches) in height and install the placard on the instrument panel within the pilot’s clear view:

 

“ELECTRIC DOOR SEAL INFLATION SYSTEM INOPERATIVE THIS AIRCRAFT CAN ONLY BE OPERATED IN UNPRESSURISED FLIGHT”

 

b.    Add the following statement to the Limitations section of the Flight Manual:

 

“ELECTRIC DOOR SEAL INFLATION SYSTEM INOPERATIVE THIS AIRCRAFT CAN ONLY BE OPERATED IN UNPRESSURISED FLIGHT”

 

This task may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Airworthiness Directive into the Limitations section of the Flight Manual.

 

4.    Bob Fields Aerocessories electrically inflatable door seals are not to be installed on any aeroplane unless the actions specified in Bob Fields Aerocessories Service Bulletin No BFA-001 dated 3 November 1998 have been incorporated.

 

Note 1: FAA AD 98-21-21 Revision 1 Amdt 39-11621 refers. Note 2: Following are optional alternate methods of compliance:

  1. Removal of all provisions of the Bob Fields Aerocessories Inflatable door seals and installation of the original equipment manufacturer door seals or other approved equivalent that is of a different design to the referenced Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals.

 

b.    For Cessna P210 series (pressurised) aeroplanes or other aeroplanes that can obtain pressurisation without the door seals inflated:

 

(1)     Fabricate a placard that incorporates the following words utilising letters that are at least 2.5mm (0.1 inches) in height and install the placard on the instrument panel within the pilot’s clear view:

 

“ELECTRIC DOOR SEAL INFLATION SYSTEM INOPERATIVE”

 

(2)     These aircraft can be operated pressurised with the electric door seal system inoperative in accordance with the applicable Flight Manual provisions for pressurised flight.

 

 

c.    The installation of a manually operated pump and retention of the Bob Fields Aerocessories STC provisions, except that the electric system must be deactivated in accordance with Requirement 1 of this Directive, noting that the design of the modification incorporating the pump must be approved by a person that either holds a delegation or an instrument of appointment under Regulation 35 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988.

 

d.    Modify the electric door seal inflation system in accordance with the procedures in Bob Fields Accessories Service Bulletin No BFA-001.

 

Compliance: 1. Remains unchanged as - Before further flight.

 

2.    Remains unchanged as - Before further flight.

 

3.    Remains unchanged as - Before further flight.

 

4.    As of the effective date of this Amendment.

 

This Amendment becomes effective on 25 January 2001.

 

Background: The FAA has received numerous reports of occurrences of overheated components associated with the electric door seal inflation system on aircraft equipped with Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals installed in accordance with the applicable FAA STC. One occurrence resulted in an in-flight fire, other occurrences have resulted in:

 

  1. the electric door seal pump being heavily charred,

 

b.    the pump assembly and resistors of the electric door seal pump being partially melted, and

 

c.    vinyl, plastic and insulation material in the proximity of the electric door seal inflation system being found burned.

 

The original issue of the Directive required the deactivation, or alternatively, the removal of the Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seal system, this will decrease the likelihood of an in-flight fire resulting from the overheating of the door seal system components.

 

Amendment 1 was issued to reflect the alternate methods of compliance introduced by the FAA. This Amendment also removed aeroplanes with STC SA4472NM incorporated from the applicability.

 

 

Amendment 2 removed aeroplanes with STC SA4213WE incorporated from the applicability and introduced an additional alternate method of compliance. The Amendment also allows the installation of Bob Fields Aerocessories door seal inflation systems provided that SB No BFA-001 was incorporated.

 

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 12 October 1998.

 

Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 December 1998.

 

 

 


 

Eugene Paul Holzapfel

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 11 December 2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 20 December 2000.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive AD/ELECT/70 Amendment 2 in 2001 to address safety concerns related to the electric door seal inflation systems on certain aircraft equipped with Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals. This legislation aimed to mitigate the risk of in-flight fires caused by overheating components within the door seal system. The directive applies to various Cessna, Raytheon (Beech), Mooney, and Piper aircraft models that have had the Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals installed either through FAA Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) or FAA field approval. The primary objective of this amendment was to deactivate the electric door seal inflation system and provide alternative methods of compliance to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft. The directive became effective on 25 January 2001, requiring immediate action to be taken before further flight. This legislative instrument is part of the broader regulatory framework managed by CASA, which is responsible for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within the Australian aviation industry. The directive reflects CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards and its collaboration with international bodies like the FAA to address common safety issues across the global aviation sector. By issuing this amendment, CASA aimed to reduce the likelihood of in-flight fires and other safety incidents related to the malfunctioning of electric door seal systems on specified aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Electrical Equipment Airworthiness Directive AD/ELECT/70 Amdt 2 applies to inflatable door seal systems manufactured by Bob Fields Aerocessories and installed on specific models of aircraft, such as Cessna, Raytheon (Beech), Mooney, Piper, Bellanca, and Wing Aircraft Company models, as listed in the applicability section. This directive applies to systems installed in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) or through FAA field approval. The AD mandates specific actions to be taken to mitigate the risk of in-flight fires due to overheating of the door seal system components. These actions include deactivating the electric door seal inflation system, installing placards notifying the pilot of the inoperative status, and updating the aircraft's flight manual with relevant limitations. The directive applies nationwide in Australia, and compliance is required before further flight. The directive also allows for alternate methods of compliance, including the removal of the Bob Fields Aerocessories door seal system or the installation of a manually operated pump, subject to certain conditions and approvals. The directive does not exclude any specific aircraft models or jurisdictions within Australia, and its application is extended through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ELECT/70 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, pertains specifically to inflatable door seal systems installed on certain aircraft models. The directive applies to Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seal systems installed on various Cessna, Raytheon (Beech), Mooney, and Piper aircraft, as well as Bellanca and Wing Aircraft Company models, that were installed either in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) or through FAA field approval. The directive mandates that specific actions be taken to address the unsafe condition associated with these systems, including deactivating the electric door seal inflation system, fabricating and installing placards, and making entries in the aircraft's Flight Manual. For non-pressurised aircraft, a placard indicating that the electric door seal inflation system is inoperative must be installed, and a corresponding statement must be added to the Limitations section of the Flight Manual. For pressurised aircraft or those without a manual door seal inflation system, a placard indicating that the door seal system is inoperative and that the aircraft can only be operated in unpressurised flight must be installed, along with a corresponding statement in the Flight Manual. The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Owners and operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the specified actions are taken to comply with the directive. This includes deactivating the electric door seal inflation system, installing placards, and updating the Flight Manual. Additionally, the installation of Bob Fields Aerocessories door seal inflation systems must be preceded by the incorporation of the actions specified in Bob Fields Aerocessories Service Bulletin No BFA-001. Compliance with the directive must be achieved by specific deadlines, with the actions for non-pressurised aircraft and those with an operating manual door seal inflation system required before further flight, and the actions for pressurised aircraft or those without a manual door seal inflation system required as of the effective date of the amendment. Failure to comply with the requirements of the AD may result in civil or criminal consequences. The AD does not explicitly state penalties, but non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. Potential penalties can include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. Additionally, failure to comply with the AD could result in the aircraft being grounded, preventing further operation until the required actions are completed.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.