AD/Cap 10/5 Amdt 1 Front Tank Support Strap (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/CAP 10/5 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(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.

Avions Mudry Cap Series Aeroplanes

AD/CAP 10/5 Amdt 1 Front Tank Support Strap 1/2008 DM

Applicability:

Model CAP 10B aircraft, all serial numbers.

Requirement:

1.    For front fuel tank support strap, part number CAP10-70-08-01, reduce the life limit from 4,000 hours time in service to 2,000 hours time in service on the component history card, or equivalent record, and amend accordingly the operator’s maintenance programme to comply with this new airworthiness limitation.  APEX Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 040102 Revision 1, or later EASA approved revision, refers.

Note 1:  In the event an operator is unable to establish the accumulated hours time in service on given fuel tank support strap installed on an aircraft, the total hours accumulated on the aircraft must be used in the determination of time for the support strap.

2.    For a tank support strap that has exceeded 2,000 hours time in service but has accumulated less than 2,500 hours time in service on the effective date of this Directive, replace the strap.

3.    For a tank support strap that has exceeded 2,500 hours time in service but has accumulated less than 4,000 hours time in service on the effective date of this Directive, replace the strap.

Note 2:  EASA AD 2007-0285 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Before further flight after 20 November 2007.

2.    Within 100 hours time in service or 6 months after 20 November 2007, whichever occurs first.

3.    Within 25 hours time in service or 1 month after 20 November 2007, whichever occurs first.

This Amendment becomes effective on 20 November 2007.

Background:

A failure of a front fuel tank support strap occurred on a CAP 10B aircraft, and in response a life limit of 4,000 flight hours was imposed.

Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new EASA AD, which was prompted by the discovery of a damaged front fuel tank support strap that had accumulated less than 4,000 hours time in service.  This Directive reduces the life limit of the tank support straps to 2,000 hours time in service, in order to prevent fatigue cracks from occurring in the tank support straps before the established safe life is reached.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

20 November 2007