AD/Convair/18 Nose Landing Gear Retract Fork (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.

Kelowna Flightcraft (General Dynamics/Convair) Series Aeroplanes

AD/CONVAIR/18 Nose Landing Gear Retract Fork 5/2006

Applicability:

Model 240, 340, and 440 series aircraft and all such model aircraft converted to turbopropeller power; with Menasco part number 523526 R/L nose landing gear (NLG) retract fork installed.

Requirement:

Inspect NLG retract forks, Menasco part number 523526 R/L, for cracks in the 0.190 (+0, -.030)-inch radius at the upper end of the fork shank diameter using dye penetrant method or magnetic particle method; and dimensionally inspect for a 0.190 (+0, -.030)-inch radius.  Any fork having less than 0.160-inch minimum radius is required to have the radius hand reworked to a 0.190 (+0, -.030)-inch radius (Care should be taken that the adjacent 1.2500/1.2495-inch diameter is not undercut).  Refinish the reworked area in accordance with Convair Service Airgram No.179, dated 18 June 1956.

If cracks are detected in either half of the fork assembly, remove and replace the complete fork assembly with a new fork assembly before further flight.

The repetitive inspections required by this Directive may be terminated when the fork assembly has been reworked to the 0.190 (+0, -.030)-inch radius, and has been shot peened and refinished in accordance with Convair Service Airgram No.179.

Note:  FAA AD 64-18-04 Amdt 778 Part 507 refers.

Compliance:

Unless the initial inspection is already accomplished; inspect within 800 hours time in service after 11 May 2006, unless accomplished within the last 200 hours time in service.  Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours time in service.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 May 2006.

Background:

The FAA requires certain actions to detect cracking and possible failure of the nose landing gear retract fork.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

31 March 2006