AD/Beech 65/61 Amdt 4 Nose Gear Lower Shock Absorber Assembly (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 65/61 Amdt 3 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) Series Aeroplanes

AD/BEECH 65/61 Amdt 4 Nose Gear Lower Shock Absorber Assembly 2/2005

Applicability:

Model A65 and A65-8200, serial numbers LC-240 through LC-335.

Model 70, serial numbers LB-1 through LB-35.

Model 65-A80, 65-A80-8800, and 65-B80, serial numbers LD-151 through LD-511

Model 65-88, serial numbers LP-1 through LP-26, LP-28, and LP-30 through LP-47

Requirement:

1.    Inspect, using fluorescent liquid penetrant or magnetic particle method, the nose landing gear fork assembly for cracks, in accordance with Part II of Raytheon Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) SB 32-2102 Revision 7, Revised: July 2003.

2.    If cracks are found during the Requirement 1 inspection, incorporate Kit No. 101-8030-1 S or Kit No. 114-8015-1 S, as applicable; in accordance with Part III of MSB SB 32-2102 Revision 7, Revised: July 2003.

3.    If no cracks are found during the Requirement 1 inspection, repeat the inspection in accordance with Part III of MSB SB 32-2102 Revision 7, Revised: July 2003.

Note 1:  Incorporation of Kit No. 101-8030-1 S or Kit No. 114-8015-1 S, as applicable, is terminating action for the inspection requirements of this Directive.

Note 2:  FAA AD 2004-23-02 Amdt 39-13857 refers.

Compliance:

1.a. For aircraft affected by the previous issue of this Directive, initially inspect within 200 hours time in service after the last inspection required by the previous issue of this Directive.

1.b. For aircraft not affected by the previous issue of this Directive, initially inspect within 200 hours time in service after 17 February 2005.

2.    Before further flight.

3.    At intervals not to exceed 200 hours time in service.  If cracks are found during any inspection, incorporate Kit No. 101-8030-1 S or Kit No. 114-8015-1 S, as applicable.

This Amendment becomes effective on 17 February 2005.

Background:

The manufacturer required a mandatory inspection of the nose gear lower shock absorber for evidence of slippage at the intersection of the tube and fork assembly, and a dye check of the weld area on the fork assembly.

Amendment 3 introduced a modification kit which, if fitted, removes the repetitive inspection requirement.

Amendment 4 is issued in response to a new FAA AD, which requires the same inspection requirements by a different inspection method, but requires incorporation of an improved nose landing gear fork kit anytime a crack is found; and adds additional aircraft to applicability.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

7 January 2005