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50-920101-109 – Textron Aviation OEM Fuel Cell for King Air Aircraft
Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.
Overview
The Textron Aviation 50-920101-109 is the genuine OEM, flight-critical, bladder-type fuel cell for the Left-Hand Inboard Main Tank of the Beechcraft King Air 200 and B200 series aircraft. This is not a simple container; it is a highly engineered, crash-resistant fuel containment system, designed to safely store thousands of pounds of jet fuel within the aircraft's wing structure. Its primary function is to provide a leak-proof, durable, and impact-resistant vessel that protects the fuel supply from ignition sources and prevents fuel leaks, even under the stresses of flight maneuvers and survivable crash scenarios.
This fuel cell is manufactured using a sophisticated, multi-layer laminated composite material, typically a high-strength, fabric-reinforced polyurethane. This advanced construction provides exceptional tensile strength, puncture resistance, and flexibility. The interior is lined with a fuel-impermeable barrier, while the exterior is treated with a conductive coating to dissipate static electricity. As the primary barrier between the flammable fuel and the airframe, the integrity of this OEM fuel cell is absolutely paramount to the safety of the aircraft. This assembly is delivered with the proprietary OEM instructions required for its complex installation.
Key Features
Genuine Textron Aviation OEM Part: The original, factory-specified fuel cell, guaranteeing perfect fit, material integrity, and conformity to the aircraft's type certificate and safety standards.
Crash-Resistant, Flexible Design: Engineered to deform and resist rupture during high-G maneuvers and survivable impact events, significantly reducing the risk of post-impact fires.
Advanced Multi-Layer Composite Construction: Fabricated from a fabric-reinforced polyurethane or similar high-tech elastomer, providing superior strength, abrasion resistance, and longevity.
Static-Dissipating Outer Layer: The exterior surface is treated with a conductive coating to prevent the buildup of hazardous static electricity from fuel sloshing, a critical anti-spark safety feature.
Seamless, Monolithic Construction: Cured as a single piece with vulcanized fittings to eliminate seams, which are traditional weak points and sources of leaks in lesser-quality fuel tanks.
Includes OEM Installation Instructions: Acknowledging the complexity of the task, this part is supplied with the factory-approved procedures for a safe and airworthy installation.
Technical Specifications
Part Number: 50-920101-109
Component Type: Bladder-Type Main Fuel Cell
OEM Manufacturer: Textron Aviation (Beechcraft)
Aircraft Location: Left Hand, Inboard Main Tank
Material: Multi-layer, fabric-reinforced polyurethane composite with an integral fuel vapor barrier and conductive outer layer.
Governing Specifications: Manufactured to Textron Aviation's proprietary specifications and meets or exceeds FAA requirements for fuel containment and crashworthiness (e.g., MIL-DTL-6396F).
*** FAA-PMA alternate part available: 2535-13 ***
Aircraft Compatibility
Beechcraft (Textron Aviation): King Air C90, King Air 200, King Air B200
Note: This is a flight-critical component with specific applicability. The aircraft's serial number and its Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) are the final and absolute authorities for determining part number eligibility.
Applications
Primary Fuel Storage: Serves as the primary fuel containment vessel for the left-hand main fuel system.
Airframe Safety System: Functions as a key part of the aircraft's overall safety design, providing fuel containment, crash resistance, and static electricity mitigation.
Why Choose 50-920101-109?
There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine OEM fuel cell. A fuel leak in a high-performance turboprop like the King Air is a catastrophic, in-flight emergency. The Textron Aviation 50-920101-109 is the only part guaranteed to be manufactured with the correct, certified composite materials and on the original factory tooling. Using a non-certified or improperly repaired fuel cell introduces an unacceptable risk of material degradation from fuel exposure, seam failure, or failure to meet the FAA's critical crashworthiness standards. The safety of the aircraft, its crew, and its passengers depends on the proven integrity of this genuine Textron part.
The engineering science behind the 50-920101-109 fuel cell revolves around advanced polymer chemistry and composite manufacturing. The polyurethane elastomer used is a highly cross-linked thermoset polymer, chosen for its exceptional tensile strength, elongation-to-break, and high tear strength, which provide its crashworthiness. This structural layer is laminated with a thin, flexible nylon barrier film. The nylon's low permeability to the aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in jet fuel is critical; it prevents fuel vapor from permeating the cell and creating a flammable vapor mixture in the wing cavity. Furthermore, the exterior of the cured bladder is coated with a conductive layer, often a carbon-impregnated paint. This provides an equipotential plane across the cell's surface, allowing the static electrical charges generated by fuel sloshing to safely dissipate to the airframe through grounding straps, thereby mitigating the risk of a static discharge igniting fuel vapors.
Note: The 50-920101-109 is a flight-critical airframe component. Due to the complexity and safety-critical nature of the installation, this work must be performed by a certified A&P/IA mechanic with specific experience on King Air fuel systems. The procedure requires meticulous preparation of the wing cavity, specialized techniques to fold and insert the bladder without damage, and precise connection and sealing of all fuel lines, vents, and transmitter wiring, all in strict accordance with the included OEM instructions and the aircraft maintenance manual.
Documentation
All authoritative technical data and step-by-step procedures are contained within the proprietary Installation Instructions supplied with the fuel cell and the official Textron Aviation King Air 200/B200 Series Maintenance Manual.
