SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN
Aircraft Certification Service
Washington, DC
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
NE-10-27

April 20, 2010

This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you, owners, operators, and certificated repair facilities of potential problems when an incorrect oil filter is installed on Superior Air Parts, Inc. (SAP) oil filter adapter, part number (P/N) SL2157, which can be installed on certain Lycoming Engines reciprocating engines. At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Background

The FAA has received one report of an incorrect oil filter installed on an SAP oil filter adapter, P/N SL2157. The incorrect oil filter did not have an internal oil pressure by-pass valve. This caused oil starvation of the aircraft engine. Currently, only Champion CH48108-1 or CH48109-1, or Tempest AA48108 or AA48109 oil filters are eligible for installation on SAP oil filter adapter, P/N SL2157. Only oil filters with an internal oil pressure by-pass valve can be used with the SAP oil filter adapter, P/N SL2157.

The SAP oil filter adapter, P/N SL2157, was originally approved for use on SAP SV-360 engine models listed on Type Certificate Data Sheet E00001SC. A list of Lycoming Engines reciprocating engine models that are eligible for having this adapter installed, is in the attached SAP Service Letter L09-01 A.

Recommendations

If you determine, through either examination of the oil filter adapter or your records, that an SAP oil filter adapter, P/N SL2157, is installed on your Lycoming Engines reciprocating engine, only install eligible oil filters that have an internal oil pressure by-pass valve.

Do not modify SAP oil filter adapter, P/N SL2157, to accept any other oil filters. Reference attached SAP Service Letter L09-01 A.

For Further Information Contact

Peter W. Hakala, Aerospace Engineer, Special Certification Office, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Ft. Worth, TX 76137-4298; phone: (817) 222-5145; fax: (817) 222-5785; e-mail: peter.w.hakala@faa.gov.

For Related Service Information Contact

Carl Johnson, Superior Air Parts, Technical Support, 621 S. Royal Lane, Coppell, TX 75019; phone: (972) 829-4689; e-mail: cjohnson@superiorairparts.com.