Additional exhaust system maintenance requirements not needed, AOPA says

Additional exhaust system maintenance requirements not needed, AOPA says

The FAA is considering overhaul or replacement intervals on exhaust systems for naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines and biannual nondestructive inspections of exhaust mufflers and heat exchangers, among others.

AOPA is opposing those proposals that were included in an airworthiness concern sheet regarding exhaust systems because they are not based on accident data and would be costly for general aviation pilots.

The agency says these actions might be needed because "the issue of proper maintenance and inspection of exhaust systems on GA aircraft continues to have a negative effect on safety of the fleet."

AOPA has facts to disprove that:

Exhaust-related accidents accounted for less than 0.19 percent of total GA accidents between 1995 and 2004 and only 0.16 percent of fatal accidents. Plus, accidents resulting from exhaust system failures decreased almost 85 percent from 1987 to 2004.

October 19, 2006