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 has issued a safety recommendation regarding F&M series oil filter adapters, used on various piston aircraft engines, due to multiple oil starvation accidents linked to inadequate installation torque and fiber gasket failure.
- Stratus Tool Technologies, the current manufacturer, previously released a mandatory service bulletin outlining inspection and updated procedures for these adapters, which the NTSB now critically emphasizes for compliance by all operators, including those under Part 91.
- Despite Stratus distinguishing its current manufacturing quality from legacy F&M products and attributing failures to improper installation, a recent in-flight oil starvation incident underscores the immediate need for all operators to review and follow the service bulletin.
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