UNCLASSIFIED
MSG DTG 281828Z DEC 01
FROM CDRAMCOM, REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL //AMSAM-SF-A//
SUBJECT - AVIATION SAFETY ACTION MESSAGE, INFORMATIONAL, RCS
CSGLD-1860(R1), ALL AIRCRAFT AND AVIATION HYDRAULIC GROUND UNITS,
HYDRAULIC FLUID CONTAMINATION CONTROL, GEN-02-ASAM-01.
NOTE
THIS MESSAGE IS ISSUED IAW AR 95-1, 1 SEP 97, CHAPTER 6. THIS
MESSAGE HAS NOT BEEN TRANSMITTED TO UNITS SUBORDINATE TO
ADDRESSEES. ADDRESSEES SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RETRANSMIT THIS
MESSAGE TO ALL SUBORDINATE UNITS, ACTIVITIES OR ELEMENTS AFFECTED
OR CONCERNED. THE RETRANSMITTAL SHALL REFERENCE THE MESSAGE.
ACTION ADDRESSEES WILL IMMEDIATELY VERIFY THIS TRANSMISSION TO
CDR, AMCOM, ATTN: AMSAM-SF-A (SOF COMPLIANCE OFFICER).
1. PRIORITY CLASSIFICATION - N/A.
NOTE
IAW AR 95-1, PARAGRAPH 6-6A/6-14A, MACOM COMMANDERS MAY AUTHORIZE
TEMPORARY EXCEPTION FROM MESSAGE REQUIREMENTS. EXCEPTION MAY
ONLY OCCUR WHEN COMBAT OPERATIONS OR MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH IN
CIVIL DISASTERS OR OTHER EMERGENCIES ARE SO URGENT THAT THEY
OVERRIDE THE CONSEQUENCES OF CONTINUED AIRCRAFT OPERATION.
2. TASK/INSPECTION SUSPENSE DATE - N/A.
3. REPORTING COMPLIANCE SUSPENSE DATE - N/A.
4. SUMMARY OF PROBLEM -
A. HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS ON ARMY AIRCRAFT AND AVIATION GROUND
SERVICE SYSTEMS MAY BE CONTAMINATED ABOVE THE ARMY ESTABLISHED
BASELINE FOR BOTH PARTICULATES AND WATER. THE ARMY HAS
EXPERIENCED UNEXPLAINED FLIGHT CONTROL INCIDENTS WHERE FLIGHT
CONTROL BINDS, LOCK-UP, OR UNCOMMANDED EVENTS OCCURRED. THE
FIRST STEP TO RE-ESTABLISHING EFFECTIVE HYDRAULIC CONTAMINATION
CONTROLS WILL BE MADE BY IDENTIFYING AND ENSURING CORRECT
HYDRAULIC HOUSEKEEPING PROCEDURES IAW PARAGRAPH 8 OF THIS MESSAGE
ARE APPLIED.
B. MANPOWER/DOWNTIME AND FUNDING IMPACTS - N/A.
C. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO ELIMINATE KNOWN
DEFICIENCIES AND ESTABLISH CORRECT AND EFFECTIVE HYDRAULICS
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES.
5. END ITEMS TO BE INSPECTED - N/A.
6. ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS TO BE INSPECTED - N/A.
7. PARTS TO BE INSPECTED - N/A.
8. INSPECTION PROCEDURES -
A. PERFORM AN INTERNAL REVIEW OF AIRCRAFT HYDRAULIC
MAINTENANCE PRACTICES AND HOUSEKEEPING PROCEDURES.
NOTE
COMMANDERS SHOULD NOTE THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS
IN THIS MESSAGE ARE NOT ALL ENCOMPASSING FOR
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND HOUSEKEEPING.
THE CONTENTS OF THIS MESSAGE ADDRESS ONLY THE
MOST COMMON SHORTCOMINGS OBSERVED IN THE FIELD.
APPLICABLE TM'S MUST STILL BE COMPLIED WITH FOR
ALL MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES.
B. MAINTENANCE WORK AREAS -
(1) AIRCRAFT HYDRAULIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AREAS MUST BE
CLEAN AND PREFERABLY INSIDE AN ENCLOSED AREA AWAY FROM BLOWING
DUST AND SAND. STORE NEW OR OVERHAULED AIRCRAFT PARTS WITH
PROPER CAPS OR PLUGS, OR PLACE IN A SEALED CONTAINER, TO PREVENT
CONTAMINATION. METAL PLUGS WITH O-RINGS SEALS ARE RECOMMENDED IN
PLACE OF PLASTIC CAPS.
(2) REMOVE ALL OPEN CANS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND DISCARD
IAW PARA 10E. OPEN CANS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID WILL ABSORB WATER AND
TRAP AIRBORNE DIRT WITHIN THE FLUID.
(3) ENSURE ALL AVIATION GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT AND
HYDRAULIC TEST STANDS ARE WIPED DOWN, CLEAN, AND COVERED.
(4) ALWAYS USE CLEAN LINT FREE MAINTENANCE TOWELS FOR
HYDRAULIC MAINTENANCE. DO NOT USE COTTON, POLYESTER, OR OTHER
RAGS FOR AVIATION HYDRAULIC MAINTENANCE. AFTER USE, DISPOSE OF
MAINTENANCE TOWELS IAW PARAGRAPH 10.E.
C. ON-AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE -
(1) WHEN REMOVING HYDRAULIC COMPONENTS, IMMEDIATELY CAP
AND SEAL BOTH THE AIRCRAFT AND COMPONENT HYDRAULIC LINES AFTER
REMOVAL.
(2) WHEN INSTALLING A NEW OR OVERHAULED HYDRAULIC
COMPONENT RECEIVED FROM SUPPLY, OPEN DRAIN PLUGS, STROKE AND
ROTATE THE COMPONENT TO REMOVE AS MUCH PRESERVATIVE FLUID FROM
THE COMPONENT AS POSSIBLE. REFILL COMPONENT WITH THE APPROPRIATE
HYDRAULIC FLUID PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. BE CAREFUL TO REFILL THE
COMPONENT IN AS CLEAN A CONDITION AS POSSIBLE. IT IS BEST TO
REFILL COMPONENTS INSIDE BUILDING OUT OF BLOWING WIND AND DUSTY
CONDITION.
(3) ALWAYS USE PROPER, CLEAN HAND TOOLS. NEVER USE A
TOOL THAT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE OR WEAR.
NOTE
DO NOT USE LEATHERMAN (OR EQUIVALENT) HAND
TOOLS OR CRESCENT WRENCHES (EXPANDABLE) FOR
HYDRAULIC MAINTENANCE.
(4) WIPE OFF HAND TOOLS AFTER EACH USE WITH A LINT FREE
CLOTH.
D. HYDRAULIC FLUID -
(1) UNTIL NEW SEALED HYDRAULIC SERVICING UNITS ARE
PROVIDED, OPEN HYDRAULIC FLUID CANS BY WIPING CLEAN THE OPENING
TOOL AND THE CAN LID WITH A LINT FREE SHOP TOWEL. FOR AH-64
SERVICING, WIPE SIPHON HOSE AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE BEFORE INSERTING
INTO CAN.
(2) ONLY USE HYDRAULIC FLUID FROM UNOPENED, FACTORY
SEALED CANS. AFTER REFILLING AIRCRAFT, IMMEDIATELY TOP OFF AGPU
OR OTHER HYDRAULIC SERVICING UNITS WITH FLUID REMAINING IN THE
CAN. IF NONE ARE AVAILABLE, DISPOSE IAW PARAGRAPH 10.E.
(3) ALWAYS SERVICE AVIATION HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS WITH THE
PROPER FLUID. ONLY THREE TYPES OF HYDRAULIC FLUID ARE AUTHORIZED
FOR ARMY AVIATION: MIL-H-83282/MIL-PRF-83282, MIL-PRF-87257, AND
MIL-H-5606/MIL-PRF-5606. CONSULT THE APPROPRIATE TECHNICAL
MANUAL TO DETERMINE WHICH FLUID SHOULD BE USED FOR A GIVEN
APPLICATION.
WARNING
SOME UNITS HAVE RECEIVED MIL-H-46170B
(NATO 544) HYDRAULIC FLUID AS A REPLACEMENT
FOR MIL-L-83282. THIS FLUID IS APPROVED FOR
GROUND VEHICLE USE ONLY. DO NOT SERVICE
AIRCRAFT HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS WITH MIL-H-46170B
HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE FLUID CONTAINS A BARIUM
ADDITIVE THAT IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE CLOSE
TOLERANCE SPOOL VALVES USED ON AIRCRAFT FLIGHT
CONTROL SYSTEMS. ANY SYSTEM SUSPECTED OF
HAVING BEEN SERVICED WITH MIL-H-46710B WILL NEED
TO BE DRAINED AND FLUSHED.
(4) WHEN SAMPLING AVIATION HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS, VISUALLY
INSPECT ALL HYDRAULIC FLUID SAMPLES FOR CONTAMINATION. ANY
VISIBLE PARTICLES, HAZY OR MILKY FLUID, PINK FLUID, OR WATER
DROPLETS ARE EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINATION. TAKE ONE MORE OR SAMPLES
AND REINSPECT. IF APPEARANCE IS UNCHANGED, THE SYSTEM IS
CONTAMINATED AND WILL BE DRAINED AND FLUSHED IAW THE APPROPRIATE
TECHNICAL MANUAL.
E. AVIATION HYDRAULIC TEST STANDS AND AGPU MAINTENANCE -
(1) INSPECT AGPU RESERVOIR VENT DRYER TO ENSURE
DESICCANT IS A MINIMUM OF 25 PERCENT BLUE IN COLOR. IF NOT,
REPLACE WITH NEW DESICCANT (NSN 6650-00-680-2233).
(2) ENSURE ALL HOSES ARE CAPPED AND SEALED WHEN STORED
OR NOT IN USE. WIPE HOSES CLEAN WITH A LINT FREE CLOTH PRIOR TO
CONNECTING TO AN AIRCRAFT HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. NOT WIPING ENDS CAN
INTRODUCE CONTAMINATES DIRECTLY INTO THE AIRCRAFT.
(3) HANDLE FLEXIBLE HYDRAULIC HOSES CAREFULLY.
PARTICLES FROM THE INSIDE WALLS OF THE HOSE MAY ENTER HYDRAULIC
FLUID WHEN THE HOSES ARE ABUSED, KINKED, OR RUN OVER. DISCARD
AND REPLACE ANY HOSE THAT IS DAMAGED.
(4) VISUALLY INSPECT FOR CONTAMINATION - LOOK AT
HYDRAULIC AGPU RESERVOIR FLUID LEVEL SITE GAGE AND INSPECT FLUID.
ANY VISIBLE PARTICLES, HAZY OR MILKY PINK FLUID OR WATER DROPLETS
ARE EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINATION. TREAT THE SYSTEM AS CONTAMINATED
AND DRAIN AND FLUSH PRIOR TO FURTHER USE.
9. CORRECTION PROCEDURES - N/A.
10. SUPPLY/PARTS AND DISPOSITION -
A. PARTS REQUIRED - N/A.
B. REQUISITIONING INSTRUCTIONS - N/A.
C. BULK AND CONSUMABLE MATERIALS - N/A.
D. DISPOSITION - N/A.
E. DISPOSITION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL - IAW ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY DIRECTIVES AS IMPLEMENTED BY YOUR SERVICING
ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR (AR 200-1).
11. SPECIAL TOOLS AND FIXTURES REQUIRED - N/A.
12. APPLICATION - N/A.
13. REFERENCES - N/A.
14. RECORDING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS - N/A.
15. WEIGHT AND BALANCE - N/A.
16. POINTS OF CONTACT - TECHNICAL POC IS KEN WEGRZYN, AMSAM-AR-
EA-P-S, DSN 897-3887 OR (256) 313-3887, FAX IS (256) 313-4961.
EMAIL "KENNETH.WEGRZYN@REDSTONE.ARMY.MIL".