FAA Adopts Eclipse AD

Saying it has received reports of loss of primary airspeed indication owing to freezing condensation within the pitot system of the Eclipse 500, the Federal Aviation Administration adopted a final rule requiring operational limitations consisting of operation only in day visual flight rules (VFR), allowing...

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Saying it has received reports of loss of primary airspeed indication owing to freezing condensation within the pitot system of the Eclipse 500, the Federal Aviation Administration adopted a final rule requiring operational limitations consisting of operation only in day visual flight rules (VFR), allowing only a VFR flight plan, and maintaining operation with two pilots. The cost of complying with the AD for the 64 aircraft, the agency reported are in the U.S. fleet is $601,600 or about $9,400 per aircraft. It is likely, however, this would be covered under warranty.
Since FAA issued AD 2007-13-11 last fall, Eclipse developed a design modification to the pitot/angle-of-attack (AOA) system to eliminate the possibility of freezing condensation within the pitot/AOA system. Eclipse is incorporating this modification during production on Model EA500 airplanes starting with serial number (S/N) 000065. The AD also retains the operating limitations in AD 2007-13-11 until the modification is incorporated. It said the agency was issuing this AD to prevent long-term reliance on special operating limitations when a design change exists that will eliminate the need for the operating limitations. Incorporating the modification will prevent loss of air pressure in the pitot system, which could cause erroneous AOA and airspeed information with consequent loss of control. The AD becomes effective on February 26, 2008.
Last fall, FAA issued an AD on the aircraft covering fuel adaptors. requires inspection of the fuel filler adapters for primer and/or paint in the surround and, if present, the removal of the primer and/or paint. Related Story