AD 2008-05-14 Airworthiness Directives; Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc. Models Navion (L-17A), Navion A (L-17B), (L-17C), Navion B, Navion D, Navion E, Navion F, Navion G, and Navion H Airplanes

This AD applies to Models Navion (L-17A), Navion A (L-17B), (L-17C), Navion B, Navion D, Navion E, Navion F, Navion G, and Navion H airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

To address this problem, you must do the following actions, unless already done: TABLE 1.—Actions, Compliance, and Procedures Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Do a one-time inspection of the entire fuel system Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after April 16, 2008 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 12 months after April 16, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first Follow Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc. Navion Service Bulletin No. 106A, dated May 1, 2007; or American Navion Society, Ltd. Field Service Bulletin No. 1001, dated April 30, 2007. (2) Unless within the last 5 years you have replaced the fuel selector valve with one of the valves specified in paragraphs (e)(3)(i) or (e)(3)(ii) of this AD, do the functional tests of the fuel selector valves. If using Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc. service information, you may allow for a 1 inch of mercury reduction from the 24 inches of mercury standard for every 1000 feet of altitude over sea level testing conditions Initially within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after April 16, 2008 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 12 months after April 16, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first. Repetitively thereafter inspect and do functional tests of the fuel selector valve at intervals not to exceed 12 months until the replacement required by paragraph (e)(3) of this AD is done Follow Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc. Navion Service Bulletin No. 106A, dated May 1, 2007; or American Navion Society, Ltd. Field Service Bulletin No. 1001, dated April 30, 2007. (3) If during any of the inspections or tests required in paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD you find any defects, perform any corrective actions required, including replacing the fuel selector valve with one of the part numbers (P/N) specified in paragraphs (e)(3)(i) or (e)(3)(ii) of this AD Before further flight after any inspection required by this AD where corrective actions are necessary. You may at any time after April 16, 2008 (the effective date of this AD) replace the fuel selector valve with the applicable P/N as specified in the service information as terminating action for the repetitive inspections and functional tests required in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD (i) For replacement with Navion P/Ns 147-30013-201, 147-30013-202, or 147-30013-203 use the following service information: (A) Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc. Navion Service Bulletin No. 106A, dated May 1, 2007. (B) Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc. Navion Service Bulletin No. 101A, dated August 23, 2005. (C) Navion Aircraft Corporation Navion Service letter #87, dated February 20, 1965. (ii) For replacement with Navion P/Ns 145-48000-ANSI, 145-48000-ANS2, 145-48000-ANS3, or Osborne Tank Co. P/N 4090, submit proposed installation procedures following the alternative method of compliance (AMOC) procedures specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. (f) If within the last 5 years or at any time after April 16, 2008 (the effective date of this AD) you have replaced the fuel selector valve with any of the valves specified in paragraphs (e)(3)(i) and (e)(3)(ii) of this AD you may terminate the repetitive inspections and functional tests of the fuel selector valve required in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, ATTN: Tim Smyth, Aerospace Engineer, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7132; fax: (847) 294-7834, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use the service information specified in Table 2 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact the following: (i) For Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc. service information contact: Sierra Hotel Aero, 1690 Aeronca Lane, South St. Paul, MN 55075; phone: (651) 306-1456; fax: (612) 677-3171; Internet: http://www.navion.com/servicebulletins.html; e-mail: servicebulletinsupport@navion.com . (ii) For American Navion Society service information contact: American Navion Society, Ltd., PMB 335, 16420 SE McGillivray #103, Vancouver, WA 98683-3461; telephone: (360) 833-9921; fax: (360) 833-1074; e-mail: flynavion@yahoo.com. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html . Table 2.—Material Incorporated by Reference Service Bulletin No. Revision Date Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc., Navion Service Bulletin No. 106 A 1 May 1, 2007. Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc., Navion Service Bulletin No. 101A 1 August 23, 2005. Navion Aircraft Corporation Navion Service Letter No. 87 February 20, 1965. American Navion Society, Ltd. Field Service Bulletin No. 1001 April 30, 2007. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 28, 2008. David R. Showers, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-4267 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from reported airplane accidents associated with leaking or improperly operating fuel system selector valves. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fuel system leaks or improperly operating fuel selector valves, which could result in the disruption of fuel flow to the engine. This failure could lead to engine power loss.