Pilot Alert: Certain 1996 and 1997 fuel cells may not meet performance specs

Pilot Alert

AOPA’s aviation services department notes that the recent FAA unapproved parts notification regarding Duraflex (and Fuel Cells Maintenance, Inc., Little Rock, Arkansas) fuel cells covers more tanks than first thought—now at least 1,400 tanks.

The tanks were manufactured between August 1996 and November 24, 1997, and were often sold via the parts supplier A/C Team in Memphis, TN.

Although generally assumed to be on Twin Commander 680s, 685s, and 695s; Beech 65s and 90s; Cessna twins; and Piper PA-23s and Comanches, AOPA has received at least one report of the listed tanks (by serial number) on a Cessna 182, so we suggest that you review your logs and maintenance records.

The FAA has received one report of a tank deteriorating internally, which could cause fuel flow blockage, and this is the safety concern. Please e-mail [email protected] with your operational experience on any of these affected tanks so that we can assist the FAA in a safety determination.

FAA Unapproved Parts Notification 96-269, April 13, 1999 ( text | PDF).

May 13, 1999