Anthony John Brewer

Complying with Cessna SEL-29-01 or MEL-29-01 is not a big cost to the aircraft owner and would be quite justifiable to enforce. I've now had over 34 years experience as a licensed aircraft mechanic and I can recall reading an article in our Australian CASA Flight Safety Digest that would have been published in the mid 1970's where a Cessna210 flying in remote Australia had its power pack electric motor burst into flames. The pilot then had to make an emergency off-field landing which led to severe damage to the nose of the aircraft. Luckily all occupants escaped with minor injuries. I've also seen first hand a Cessna210N gear pump motor get very close to firing up, in fact after the gear pump circuit breaker had been pulled the motor was still burning hot for a period of approx 45 mins. I have seen numerous cases where the gear pump motor has not shut down as a result of the following conditions: 1 The system pump pressure has not quite satisfied the pressure switch cutout pressure 2 A defective pressure switch 3 A defective contactor As a result of these failures and an imminent potential fire risk, we install a light system that illuminates when power is applied to the motor and if the pilot observes the light on any time longer than a normal gear cycle he is then alerted and can pull the pullable type gear pump circuit breaker. In Cessna aircraft manufactured after 1983 I believe most models had this light system fitted standard. Due to the number of aircraft we service (approx 200) I organised an STC to cover the installation (copy uploaded). We also did the same for a starter engaged warning light. These warning lights have prevented numerous potential accidents and expensive repairs.