Airworthiness Directives; Bob Fields Aerocessories Inflatable Door Seals

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-21-21, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of aircraft equipped with Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals installed in accordance with the applicable supplemental type certificate (STC). These inflatable door seals could also be installed on aircraft through field approval.This AD requires either de-activating the electric door seal inflation system; fabricating and installing a placard specifying that the system is inoperative; and inserting a copy of the AD into the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM); or removing all provisions of the Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals installation, and installing original equipment manufacturer door seals or an FAA-approved equivalent that is of different design than the referenced Bob Fields Aerocessories inflatable door seals. The AD resulted from occurrences of overheated components associated with the electric door seal inflation system on aircraft equipped with the affected inflatable door seals. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent smoke and a possible fire in the cockpit caused by overheating of the electric door seal inflation systems, which could result in passenger injury.