Service Bulletin Expected To Be Released In The Next Several Days

Recently, an Eclipse Jet experienced a failure of the left main landing gear trunnion while taxing. Eclipse, along with our supplier, have been actively investigating this incident.

Our subsequent investigation and analysis has yielded two findings. First, we performed an extensive review of the design and fatigue model, and we have confirmed that the landing gear design meets all of the requirements to provide a full service life of 20,000 landings. Secondly, an undetermined number of gear trunnions have machining inconsistencies, which do not conform to the design criteria and could affect the component's service life.

In keeping with Eclipse's commitment to safety first, we are developing a program to systematically inspect all customer landing gear, and address any non-conforming trunnions. We expect to issue a Service Bulletin in the next few days; however, in the interim, we wanted share an overview of the program that we are putting in place to immediately address the inspection and, if necessary, replacement of any non-conforming trunnions.

First, we will systematically schedule a borescope inspection of your landing gear trunnions, and photograph the internal surfaces at specific points. These photos will be reviewed and analyzed by Eclipse Engineering to determine if there are machining inconsistencies that require the trunnion to be immediately replaced. No disassembly is required to perform this inspection.

To handle the inspection process, Eclipse has divided the fleet into 3 primary groups (described below) based on our fatigue analysis, each with differing inspection timeframes. For the first thirty (30) days, we will only inspect aircraft that fall within Group 1. (Note: If you fall into Group 2 or Group 3 and your aircraft is already scheduled to be in for maintenance at one of our authorized service centers in the month of August or September, we will perform the inspection on your aircraft while it is in for scheduled maintenance.)

Group 1: Aircraft with 975 landings or more. We have identified those aircraft that we believe fit into Group 1, and we will be contacting each of you within the next 48 - 72 hours via email, and telephone to schedule an inspection of your landing gear at one of our authorized service facilities. If your aircraft has 975 landings or more and you have not heard from Eclipse by August 11, 2015, please contact, Beau Klingbeil at 847.894.0854 and he will schedule your aircraft into one of our authorized facilities at your earliest convenience. For aircraft in Group 1, in the event that inspection reveals that your trunnion(s) need to be replaced, we will immediately install replacement trunnion(s) which will carry the full service life of 20,000 cycles (USA) / 10,000 cycles (EASA). Please note that it is imperative that all operators in this group have their aircraft inspected within the next 25 landings.

Group 2: Aircraft with between 750 and 974 landings. We are requesting that these aircraft arrange for inspection prior to accumulating 1000 landings, or no later than the next 300 hour/24 month inspection, which ever comes first.

Group 3: Aircraft with between 0 and 749 landings. These aircraft will need to be inspected prior to accumulating 1000 landings, or no later than the next 300 hour/24 month inspection, which ever comes first.

To be clear, assessments as to whether a trunnion must be immediately replaced will be based on the information in the fatigue model. Trunnions with non-conformances that are determined to be inconsistent with the fatigue model will be immediately replaced. In many cases, based on the results of the borescope inspection, the fatigue model may determine that it is acceptable for the trunnion to safely remain in service for a defined period of time. In no case will any trunnion be permitted to remain in service that cannot safely continue until the next scheduled inspection.

This process will permit us to work with our supplier to obtain a sufficient number of replacement trunnions to assure that all aircraft eventually receive fully conforming and unrestricted trunnions.

To keep your interruption to a minimum, Eclipse has established dedicated technicians whose responsibility is to address this issue. To insure that the correct inspection occurs and that we promptly address any issues on your aircraft, these inspections must be performed at one of the Eclipse Authorized Service Centers listed in the Service Bulletin.

We expect that the entire inspection / replacement process will take 2 full days. (i.e. If you arrive in the early morning on the day you are scheduled for service, you can expect to depart the following evening.) All inspections, and parts replacement (if required) will be covered 100% by Eclipse, regardless of serial number aircraft.

Also, for owners / operators who fall into Group 1, Eclipse is aware that this immediate inspection may be inconvenient and time consuming for you. To help with this, Eclipse will reimburse you for your fuel expenses in traveling to and from your home base. In addition, in an effort to cover any hotel and meal costs you incur during the inspection process, Eclipse will provide each owner with a pre-paid credit card in the amount of $600.00.

Eclipse will work with all owner/operators to address all questions and concerns and insure that all aircraft are properly addressed based on the program outlined above.

For operators outside the contiguous 48 states, and that are an extraordinary distance from an Eclipse Authorized Service Center, please contact Andy Neild at 847.980.7009 and we will work with you to facilitate the inspection of your aircraft.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.oneaviation.aero