Follows Incident In Which An SF50 Caught Fire During Ground Operations

The FAA has issued an Emergency AD for Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus) Model SF50 airplanes. This AD applies to Cirrus Design Corporation Model SF50 airplanes, serial numbers 0005 through 0176 and 0178, certificated in any category.

The emergency AD was prompted by a cabin fire incident that occurred recently on a Cirrus Model SF50 airplane during ground operations. The operator observed smoke exiting from behind the right sidewall interior panel located behind crew seat 2 and forward of passenger seat 5.

The investigation into the incident determined the probable root cause was a malfunction of the headset amplifier (part number (P/N) 38849-001) and the microphone interface (P/N 35809-001) circuit card assemblies for the 3.5 millimeter (mm) audio and microphone jacks. This malfunction can result in an electrical short and subsequent uncontained cabin fire without activating circuit protection. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to uncontained cabin fire, resulting in possible occupant injury or loss of airplane control.

The FAA is issuing this AD because it evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

The FAA reviewed Cirrus Alert Service Bulletin Number SBA5X-23-03, dated February 7, 2020 (SBA5X-23-03). The service information contains instructions to disconnect and remove the headset amplifier and microphone interface circuit card assemblies for the 3.5 mm audio and microphone jacks.

The FAA considers this AD, which addresses malfunction of the headset amplifier and the microphone interface circuit card assemblies, an interim action. Cirrus is developing corrective action that will address the unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this action is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may consider additional rulemaking.

(Source: FAA. Image from file)

FMI: AD