The NTSB has issued a safety recommendation on the F&M series of oil filter adapters used on a range of piston aircraft engines. Pilots and owners of aircraft using the adapters should be aware of the report and take action as needed. The oil filter adapter allows the use of a spin-on oil filter—rather than the manufacturer’s brass oil screen—on Continental engines found in popular singles and twins, such as certain Beechcraft Bonanzas, Barons, and Debonairs; Cessna singles and the 310, Maules, the Mooney M20K, and Piper Arrows and Seneca IIs.
NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation on F&M Oil Filter Adapters
Key Takeaways:
- The NTSB issued a safety recommendation concerning F&M series oil filter adapters on piston aircraft engines, following multiple oil starvation accidents.
- Investigations revealed problems with fiber gaskets, adapter rotation, and insufficient torque (significantly below 65 ft-lbs) as contributing factors in these failures.
- Stratus Tool Technologies, the current manufacturer, issued a mandatory service bulletin (SB-001) in 2019 requiring inspections and updated procedures, which the NTSB now critically emphasizes, particularly for Part 91 operators.
- All aircraft owners and operators with any F&M lineage oil filter adapters are strongly advised to review and comply with the service bulletin to prevent catastrophic engine failure.
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