FAA SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS
Aviation Safety INFORMATION BULLETIN
SAIB: CE-18-05
SUBJ: Fire Bottle, Portable Date: November 21, 2017
This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advises general aviation pilots and operators
of concerns with certain Kidde fire extinguishers with plastic handles, which may become clogged
or require excessive force to discharge and can fail to activate during a fire emergency.
At this time, the airworthiness concern is not considered an unsafe condition that would warrant
airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR) part 39.
Background
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall on November 2, 2017, for two
styles of Kidde fire extinguishers: plastic handle fire extinguishers and push-button Pindicator fire
extinguishers. The recalled fire extinguishers may be installed in general aviation aircraft.
The plastic handle fire extinguishers involve 134 models manufactured between January 1, 1973, and
August 15, 2017. The recall summary notes that there have been approximately 391 reports of failed or
limited activation or nozzle detachments. A complete list of affected Kidde fire extinguisher models
along with contact information can be accessed on the Internet at the following link:
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/kidde-recalls-fire-extinguishers-with-plastic-handles-due-to-failure-
to-discharge-and
Many general aviation pilots and operators may be unaware of the recall.
Recommendations
The FAA recommends that general aviation pilots, operators, and mechanics check all aircraft that you
own or maintain, and if a Kidde fire extinguisher model on the recall list is installed, replace it with
an airworthy fire extinguisher not affected by the recall.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission recall summary provides instructions on how to request a
replacement extinguisher from Kidde.
For Further Information Contact
Barry Ballenger, Aerospace Engineer, Small Airplane Standards Branch, AIR-690, FAA, 901 Locust
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; phone: (816) 329-4152; email:
[email protected].
1
Please find attached a Foreign State of Design Advisory document, endorsed by EASA.
This advisory document is also online at https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/CE-18-05 .
Should you have any questions, please contact the Agency by e-mail at
[email protected] or by fax,
No.: +49 221 89990 9515.
Safety Information Section Email:
[email protected]
EASA Website
(Attachment is in Acrobat PDF format)
Postal: Postfach 10 12 53, 50452 Cologne, Germany
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