EASA SIB 2019-11: SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B Aeroplanes - Fuel Tank Conduits Wiring Protection — Heat Shrinkable Tubes

What to do

Owners and operators of SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B aeroplanes should inspect the installed heat shrinkable tubes with part numbers DR25-1/4, DR25-1/8, or DR25-3/16 to confirm they meet the MIL-DTL-23053/16 standard. If non-compliant tubes are found, they should contact their national aviation authority to apply for a temporary exemption and plan re-modification to restore compliance with EASA AD 2007-0248. No mandatory deadlines are specified in this bulletin.

Summary

EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2019-11 is an airworthiness bulletin addressing fuel tank conduits wiring protection on SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B aeroplanes. It focuses on the use of heat shrinkable tubes for wiring protection as specified in SAAB Service Bulletin 340-28-026. The bulletin highlights compliance issues related to the qualification standards of the heat shrinkable tubes installed on these aircraft.

What changed

This bulletin clarifies that some SAAB SF340A and 340B aeroplanes have been modified with heat shrinkable tubes qualified to MIL-DTL-23053/5 instead of the required MIL-DTL-23053/16 standard. Aircraft with non-compliant tubes must be re-modified to meet the original standard specified in EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0248. However, this bulletin does not mandate new regulatory action but provides guidance to address the issue.

Why it matters

For aviation professionals, this bulletin highlights a potential safety and compliance gap in wiring protection within fuel tank conduits, which is critical for preventing electrical hazards. Operators and maintenance organizations need to verify the qualification of installed heat shrinkable tubes to ensure adherence to the approved safety standards. Addressing this issue helps maintain regulatory compliance and supports continued airworthiness of affected SAAB 340 aircraft.