OPERATORS OF CESSNA turbocharged piston-twins have been urged to inspect the exhaust systems, while the US Federal Aviation Administration considers action to prevent leaks which could cause in-flight fires.
The Cessna Pilots Association (CPA) has advised operators of 300- and 400-series turbocharged twins to inspect the exhaust systems after a crash early in April which may have resulted from a fire caused by an exhaust leak.
The CPA says that at least six accidents since August 1995 have been attributed to exhaust leaks. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended disassembly and inspection of the exhaust systems every 100h, but both the CPA and the US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association favour less-expensive on-aircraft visual inspections and pressure tests at the same interval.
The CPA believes that the problem is a "maintenance and inspection" issue and that some operators "-are not aware enough of the importance of detailed, regular, inspection" of the exhaust. FAA action is believed to be imminent after a series of April meetings.
The CPA has recommended the installation of a fuel shut-off valve in the crossfeed line, but the NTSB has additionally called for installation of a fire-detection system, increasing the potential cost of any FAA action.
Source: Flight International
