Microturbo Saphir 2, Model No. 016, Auxiliary Power Unit, Replacement of Exhaust Thermal Insulation
- Published
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators and maintenance organizations should immediately inspect the exhaust thermal insulation on affected Microturbo Saphir 2 Model 016 APUs, especially those installed on Dassault Falcon 20 aircraft. Inspections must continue every 10 APU operating hours until the insulation is replaced, which must be completed within 50 APU operating hours from the initial inspection. Removed insulation must be returned to Microturbo as per the service bulletin instructions.
Summary
EASA Safety Information Notice No. 2007-23 is an alert regarding the Microturbo Saphir 2, Model No. 016 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) installed on aircraft including the Dassault Falcon 20. The document addresses the replacement of exhaust thermal insulation due to manufacturing quality control lapses that may cause insulation failure and exposure of the hot APU exhaust section.
What changed
This notice introduces a mandatory inspection and replacement procedure for the exhaust thermal insulation of affected Microturbo Saphir 2 APUs. It specifies affected part numbers replaced since 1995 and requires visual inspections every 10 APU operating hours until replacement, which must occur within 50 APU operating hours following the initial inspection.
Why it matters
The rapid deterioration of the exhaust thermal insulation poses risks including fire, loss of aircraft structural integrity, and potential loss of aircraft control, which can lead to fatal accidents. Aviation professionals must ensure timely inspections and replacements to maintain safety and regulatory compliance, minimizing operational risks and avoiding potential in-service failures.
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