AD 59-01-01

final rule

CONVAIR Model 240, 340 and 440 Aircraft

AD Number
59-01-01
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Unknown
FR Citation
This information is not available.

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft Kelowna Flightcraft R & D Ltd. 240 Series CONVAIR Model 240, 340 and 440 Aircraft
aircraft Kelowna Flightcraft R & D Ltd. 340 CONVAIR Model 240, 340 and 440 Aircraft
aircraft Kelowna Flightcraft R & D Ltd. 440 CONVAIR Model 240, 340 and 440 Aircraft

Unsafe Condition

The fire detector system's original design, rendered inoperative by Convair Service Air Gram No. 173 due to false warnings, failed to adequately detect fires originating in zones one and two of the engine nacelle, as demonstrated by inflight fire experience and fire tests.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Required Actions

Modify the continuous type fire detector system on 440 aircraft with improved detector elements, assemblies, connectors, control box cannon plugs, and mounting provisions. For 240 and 340 aircraft, either install an equivalent continuous type system with AFM revisions or install three unit-type detectors at each bellmouth and airflow modifications per specified service bulletins.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

440 aircraft not later than December 31, 1958; 340 and 240 aircraft not later than April 30, 1960.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Affected Aircraft

CONVAIR Model 240 and 340 aircraft, and Model 440 serial numbers 312 through 502.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Federal Register Abstract

Fire Detector System

Applicability Source Text

Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_59-01-01.html
Copy URL
Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
59-01-01
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
CONVAIR Model 240, 340 and 440 Aircraft
Subject:
Fire Detector System
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
Make:
Kelowna Flightcraft R & D Ltd.
Model:
240 Series | 340 | 440
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 59-01-01
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:  

AD NUMBER:   59-01-01

SUBJECT HEADING:   CONVAIR Model 240, 340 and 440 Aircraft

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:  

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
59-01-01 CONVAIR: Applies to All 240 and 340 Aircraft and to 440, Serial Nos. 312 Through 502.

Compliance required as follows: 440 aircraft not later than December 31, 1958; 340 and 240 aircraft not later than April 30, 1960.

Inflight fire experience and fire tests on the Convair engine nacelle have shown the need for further improvement in detecting fires originating in zones one and two. Additional continuous type detector coverage was provided in production 440 aircraft for the zone one bellmouth and zone two chimney areas. Because of false warnings the original system was rendered inoperative by Convair Service Air Gram No. 173, and an improvement program was initiated. This program has now been completed and a revised system developed with functional reliability proven by test under laboratory and service conditions.

To improve and reactivate the continuous type fire detector system installation on 440 aircraft and to provide equivalent coverage for 240 and 340 aircraft, the following must be accomplished:

(1) On 440 aircraft, the existing continuous type fire detector system must be modified to incorporate improved detector elements and assemblies, including connectors, control box cannon plugs and mounting provisions. Upon accomplishment, the continuous type system must be made operative. On aircraft of Serial Nos. 503 and subsequent which incorporate these changes, the system must be maintained operative.

(Convair Service Bulletin No. 440-41 covers an acceptable method of accomplishing these changes.)

(2) On 240 and 340 aircraft, either modification (a) or modifications (b) and (c) must be accomplished:

(a) Install additional fire detector coverage consisting of a continuous type system installed in each augmenter bellmouth and each vent chimney, similar to that now installed on 440 aircraft. The airplane flight manual must be revised to include a description of the system operation and the required emergency procedures.

(Convair Service Bulletin No. 340-222 covers an acceptable method of accomplishment of this installation on 340 aircraft. Service bulletins applicable to 240 aircraft will be published at a later date, if there is a request for such information from operators desiring to accomplish this in preference to the modifications described in items (b) and (c) following.)

(b) Install at least three unit-type detectors at each augmenter tube bellmouth or on brackets mounted on the shroud or engine cowling and located in close proximity to the bellmouths, such as to be in the path of flames which would enter the bellmouth in the event of fire. Existing detectors at the upper cowl flaps and those mounted on the upper side shroud panels may be counted among the three units specified, provided they are installed in accordance with Convair Bulletins No. 240-419 and No. 240-419A or conform to original Model 340 production configuration. The third bellmouth detector location must conform with figure 6 of Technical Development Center Report No. 250. Revised detector installations must be ground and flight tested in accordance with Thomas A. Edison Installation Manual, Publication No. 1058, dated July 15, 1950, to assure correct circuit adjustment.

(c) To minimize flame stratification and improve effectiveness of present fire detection, a reduction in airflow rate in zone two must be effected by modifications in accordance with Convair Service Bulletin 340-176 or equivalent for the 340 aircraft, and in accordance with Convair Service Bulletin 240-473 or equivalent for the 240 aircraft.

This supersedes AD 58-10-01.

FOOTER:

Document Text

Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_59-01-01.html
Copy URL
Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
59-01-01
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
CONVAIR Model 240, 340 and 440 Aircraft
Subject:
Fire Detector System
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
Make:
Kelowna Flightcraft R & D Ltd.
Model:
240 Series | 340 | 440
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 59-01-01
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:  

AD NUMBER:   59-01-01

SUBJECT HEADING:   CONVAIR Model 240, 340 and 440 Aircraft

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:  

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
59-01-01 CONVAIR: Applies to All 240 and 340 Aircraft and to 440, Serial Nos. 312 Through 502.

Compliance required as follows: 440 aircraft not later than December 31, 1958; 340 and 240 aircraft not later than April 30, 1960.

Inflight fire experience and fire tests on the Convair engine nacelle have shown the need for further improvement in detecting fires originating in zones one and two. Additional continuous type detector coverage was provided in production 440 aircraft for the zone one bellmouth and zone two chimney areas. Because of false warnings the original system was rendered inoperative by Convair Service Air Gram No. 173, and an improvement program was initiated. This program has now been completed and a revised system developed with functional reliability proven by test under laboratory and service conditions.

To improve and reactivate the continuous type fire detector system installation on 440 aircraft and to provide equivalent coverage for 240 and 340 aircraft, the following must be accomplished:

(1) On 440 aircraft, the existing continuous type fire detector system must be modified to incorporate improved detector elements and assemblies, including connectors, control box cannon plugs and mounting provisions. Upon accomplishment, the continuous type system must be made operative. On aircraft of Serial Nos. 503 and subsequent which incorporate these changes, the system must be maintained operative.

(Convair Service Bulletin No. 440-41 covers an acceptable method of accomplishing these changes.)

(2) On 240 and 340 aircraft, either modification (a) or modifications (b) and (c) must be accomplished:

(a) Install additional fire detector coverage consisting of a continuous type system installed in each augmenter bellmouth and each vent chimney, similar to that now installed on 440 aircraft. The airplane flight manual must be revised to include a description of the system operation and the required emergency procedures.

(Convair Service Bulletin No. 340-222 covers an acceptable method of accomplishment of this installation on 340 aircraft. Service bulletins applicable to 240 aircraft will be published at a later date, if there is a request for such information from operators desiring to accomplish this in preference to the modifications described in items (b) and (c) following.)

(b) Install at least three unit-type detectors at each augmenter tube bellmouth or on brackets mounted on the shroud or engine cowling and located in close proximity to the bellmouths, such as to be in the path of flames which would enter the bellmouth in the event of fire. Existing detectors at the upper cowl flaps and those mounted on the upper side shroud panels may be counted among the three units specified, provided they are installed in accordance with Convair Bulletins No. 240-419 and No. 240-419A or conform to original Model 340 production configuration. The third bellmouth detector location must conform with figure 6 of Technical Development Center Report No. 250. Revised detector installations must be ground and flight tested in accordance with Thomas A. Edison Installation Manual, Publication No. 1058, dated July 15, 1950, to assure correct circuit adjustment.

(c) To minimize flame stratification and improve effectiveness of present fire detection, a reduction in airflow rate in zone two must be effected by modifications in accordance with Convair Service Bulletin 340-176 or equivalent for the 340 aircraft, and in accordance with Convair Service Bulletin 240-473 or equivalent for the 240 aircraft.

This supersedes AD 58-10-01.

FOOTER:

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. Always verify with official sources.