VSP-7
October 10, 1977
VENDOR SERVICE PUBLICATION
TO: X All Piper Distributors
X All Piper CORPAC's
Affected Aircraft Owners/Operators
All of the above
SUBJECT: Goodyear Aerospace Service Bulletin No. FT-77-1 Rev. B dated
August 31, 1977; Recommended inspection of (Goodyear) fuel tanks, etc.
Models Affected: Serial Numbers Affected:
Refer to Goodyear S.B. # FT-77-1 Section I. A. EFFECTIVITY for determination
of affected aircraft.
Purpose: To provide distribution of the attached Service Publication (identified
in SUBJECT, above) to Piper Field Service Facilities and, if applicable,
to affected Piper owners/operators.
Detailed instructions relative to compliance action are specified on the
attached Service Publication; any additional/supplemental data, if neces-
sary, is contained in the following "Special Instructions" section.
Special Instructions:
Make appropriate aircraft log book entry relative to Goodyear
Service Bulletin No. FT-77-1 (Rev. B) subsequent to applicable
compliance action.
ke
ENGINEERED FABRICS DIVISION
GOODYEAR AEROSPACE CORPORATION
AKRON, OHIO 44315/ROCKMART, GEORGIA 30153
BULLETIN
SERVICE
SUBJECT: FUEL SYSTEMS - RECOMMENDEDINSPECTION FOR POSSIBLE FUEL SEEPAGE
FROM RUBBER-TYPEFUEL TANKS INCLUDING INSPECTIONFOR POSSIBLE
DETERIORATEDOR SOFT RUBBER NIPPLE FITTINGS.
SECTION I - PLANNING INFORMATION
A. EFFECTIVITY: This Service Bulletin affectsthe followinglist
of Models of Aircraft and which are equippedwith
GoodyearFuelTanks.
BEECH CESSNA - SINGLE
35-33 180
35 182
36 185
45 (T34A) 205
B45 206
D45 (T34B) 207
50 210
95-55 A188
56TC U206
58 P206
60
65-88 CESSNA - TWIN
65
70 310
65-80 T310
65-90 320
95 340
99 401
100 402
200 411
414
ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL 404
GENERAL AVIATION DIVN 421
500
560 PIPER
680 PA25
681 PA31-310
720 PA31-325
685 PA31P
690A PA31T
PA34
August 31, 1977 ServiceBulletinNo. FT-77-1 Rev. B
Page 1 of 4
Ref.: (PAC) VSP-7
A. EFFECTIVITY: (cont'd) ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL ISRAEL AIRCRAFT
SABRELINERDIVN. 1121
40 1122
60 1123
75 1124
AAR OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
680 Extended Range
B. REASON: To inspectfor possibledeteriorationand fuel
seepagefrom rubberfuel tanksmanufactured by
GoodyearAerospaceor The GoodyearTire & RubberCo.
C. DESCRIPTION: Aircraftbladderfuel tanksare an assemblyof
itemsmade up of age sensitiverubbers. These
rubbersare subjectto deterioration by oxygen,
ozone,sunlight,humidityand high temperature
conditionsthatmay be experienced in the course
of storageor use. Therefore,a regularinspection
of this type of fuel tank is warranted.
D. COMPLIANCE: For aircraftaffected,which incorporate Goodyear
fuel cellsor tanks thatare fiveyears old or older,
Goodyearrecommendsa preflightinspectionfor signs
of fuel seepage. Seepagedue to tank leakageis
usuallyfoundarounddrainsand vent lines. If tank
leakageis found,performthe inspectionin SectionII.
E. APPROVAL: This bulletin has FAA approval.
F. REFERENCE: GoodyearAerospaceCorporation
Fuel Tank RepairManualAP 368
Service Bulletin No. FT-77-1 Rev. B
August 31, 1977
Page 2 of 4
Ref.: (PAC) VSP-7
INSTRUCTIONS
SECTIONII - ACCOMPLISHMENT
A. AND/OR
INSPECTION
CHECK: Inspection
1. Drain fueltank and removeaccessplates.
2. Inspectthe interiorof each tankwhere
seepageis suspectedfor cracking,porosity,
or othersignsof deterioration.Repairor
replacefuel tank as necessary.
3. Ascertainthat the tank retainingfasteners
are properlypositionedand fastened.
4. Inspectvent,drain and interconnect nipples.
Thesemay be inspectedby the fingernail test
to give an indicationof the conditionof the
nipple.
The fingernailtest consistsof usingthe
fingernailto attemptto scrapethe rubber
off the nipplefitting(seeFigure1). If
the rubberhas not degraded,the fingernail
will glideacrossthe rubberwithoutdamage
to the rubber. If an unsatisfactory condition
exists,the fingernail will dig into the rubber.
The rubberwill have a consistency of either
art gum or chewinggum. Usually the deteriorated
rubberwill have changedfrom a lighttan color
to a dark reddish-brownor greenishcolor
dependingupon color of fuel used.
5. Any fuel tank foundseepingor with soft
nipplesshouldbe replaced.
6. Reinstallfuel tank,fuel systemand access
checkthe fuel system.
plate and functionally
NOTE: AdvisorycircularAC 43.13-1A,Page 282,
also givesinformationconcerningfuel
cell inspection.
August31, 1977 ServiceBulletinNo. FT-77-1 Rev. B
Page 3 of 4
Ref.: (PAC) VSP-7
A. INSPECTIONAND/OR
CHECK: (cont'd)
FIGURE 1
August31, 1977 ServiceBulletinNo. FT-77-1 Rev. B
Page4 of 4
Ref.: (PAC) VSP-7
