FAA recommends muffler replacement – CENTURION Engines are not affected
Lichtenstein, May 25, 2010 – On May 7, 2010 the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) regarding engine exhaust systems. They conducted a research that focuses on carbon monoxide (CO) safety issues as they apply to general aviation products. They found that accidents related to CO poisoning, the muffler system was the top source of CO leakage. According to this the FAA recommends to replace the mufflers on reciprocating engine-powered airplanes with more than 1,000 hours on the muffler. This recommendation is not mandatory and only N-registered airplanes are affected. In this respect, Centurion clarifies that Centurion engines are not affected by this recommendation. Reciprocating engines with a diesel combustion process do hardly produce any Carbon Monoxide due to the fact that the combustion runs always lean. Accordingly, the FAA has been informed by Centurion about this fact and will include a note with the next revision of the SAIB.
Background Information
The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) initiated a research program in 2007 with a focus to aircraft engines emissions and measured emissions on several reciprocating aircraft engine types, including Centurion aircraft engines (TC number TAE-125). They found out that e.g. a Lycoming O-360 is producing 6,743 g/kg of CO per hour in cruise power setting while the Centurion engine only produces 91 g/kg of CO per hour in cruise power setting. This is less than 1.5 percent. Furthermore the heating system of all Centurion installations do use a heat exchanger of the liquid cooling system to heat up fresh air. In Centurion installations exhaust gas is not used to heat up fresh air. Therefore the risk that the remaining CO enters into the cabin is very low. In accordance with our experience exhaust pipes and mufflers in Centurion installations do not show any severe corrosion after 1,000 hours. In fact, most parts are made from non-corrosive materials.
Sources:
FAA SAIB: tinyurl.com/259jq5e
Related research: tinyurl.com/25wc74z
FOCA research: tinyurl.com/23zxlem
