Document Name: Service Bulletin SB 19-03-22
Effective: May 21, 2019
Subject: Cracking of the EX-00017 Cylinder #2 Exhaust
Affected Models: RV-12 with 912 ULS engines
Affected Serial Numbers: All RV-12 model aircraft (RV-12iS is not affected)
Required Action: Inspect the EX-00017 Cylinder #2 exhaust tube for cracks as described in this document. If cracks are found, replace the EX-00017 with an EX-00017-1.
Van’s Aircraft has released a Service Bulletin (SB 19-03-22) affecting all RV-12 aircraft equipped with a Rotax 912 ULS engine and a specific configuration/version of the Cylinder #2 exhaust pipe. Depending on when the RV-12 firewall-forward kit was produced, there are three possible designs for the Cylinder #2 Exhaust Tube. Only one of those designs (EX-00017) is affected by the service bulletin. Inspection is required in order to determine which specific part is installed on an individual aircraft.
Data from the field suggests that some EX-00017 Cylinder #2 Exhaust Tubes are prone to fatigue cracking. If the pipe fails, hot gases from the exhaust may eventually compromise the composite cabin heat duct, which could in turn result in the introduction of dangerous exhaust gases into the cabin if the cabin heat door was open. Complying with this service bulletin will ensure aircraft equipped with affected parts are furnished with a sufficiently robust part, equivalent to aircraft equipped with newer parts.
Before further flight, owners are instructed to inspect their aircraft to determine which part is installed, and in cases where the affected part is installed to either replace the part with a new part available from Van’s Aircraft or to equip the aircraft with a carbon monoxide detector and then inspect the affected part at regular intervals. If a cracked pipe is found, the new part must be acquired and installed. Note that once a crack develops in the affected part, it is likely the exhaust pipe will fail quickly. Therefore, regardless of whether any cracks are observed, Van’s Aircraft recommends that any affected part be replaced proactively, to avoid the possibility of a crack-related failure. The use of an aviation-grade carbon monoxide detector prior to replacement is an option, but should not be considered a long-term solution.
Photos of the affected part are included in the service bulletin document, in order to aid in identification and to help determine whether or not the installed part is the one covered by this bulletin.
Effective: May 21, 2019
Subject: Cracking of the EX-00017 Cylinder #2 Exhaust
Affected Models: RV-12 with 912 ULS engines
Affected Serial Numbers: All RV-12 model aircraft (RV-12iS is not affected)
Required Action: Inspect the EX-00017 Cylinder #2 exhaust tube for cracks as described in this document. If cracks are found, replace the EX-00017 with an EX-00017-1.
Van’s Aircraft has released a Service Bulletin (SB 19-03-22) affecting all RV-12 aircraft equipped with a Rotax 912 ULS engine and a specific configuration/version of the Cylinder #2 exhaust pipe. Depending on when the RV-12 firewall-forward kit was produced, there are three possible designs for the Cylinder #2 Exhaust Tube. Only one of those designs (EX-00017) is affected by the service bulletin. Inspection is required in order to determine which specific part is installed on an individual aircraft.
Data from the field suggests that some EX-00017 Cylinder #2 Exhaust Tubes are prone to fatigue cracking. If the pipe fails, hot gases from the exhaust may eventually compromise the composite cabin heat duct, which could in turn result in the introduction of dangerous exhaust gases into the cabin if the cabin heat door was open. Complying with this service bulletin will ensure aircraft equipped with affected parts are furnished with a sufficiently robust part, equivalent to aircraft equipped with newer parts.
Before further flight, owners are instructed to inspect their aircraft to determine which part is installed, and in cases where the affected part is installed to either replace the part with a new part available from Van’s Aircraft or to equip the aircraft with a carbon monoxide detector and then inspect the affected part at regular intervals. If a cracked pipe is found, the new part must be acquired and installed. Note that once a crack develops in the affected part, it is likely the exhaust pipe will fail quickly. Therefore, regardless of whether any cracks are observed, Van’s Aircraft recommends that any affected part be replaced proactively, to avoid the possibility of a crack-related failure. The use of an aviation-grade carbon monoxide detector prior to replacement is an option, but should not be considered a long-term solution.
Photos of the affected part are included in the service bulletin document, in order to aid in identification and to help determine whether or not the installed part is the one covered by this bulletin.
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