AD/Gc-1/3 Stabilizer Spar Attachment - Inspection (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 issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001 (1) of CASR. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct an 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.

Swift Museum Foundation GC-1A and GC-1B Series Aeroplanes

AD/GC-1/3 Stabilizer Spar Attachment - Inspection 18/2020

Applicability:

All Swift Museum Foundation GC-1A and GC-1B model aircraft.

Requirement:

1.    Inspect the horizontal stabilizer front spar attachment to the fuselage bulkhead for looseness. First remove all fairing or interfering items. Support the horizontal stabilizers on the fuselage so that their position cannot change; remove the four AN 3 bolts which attach the front stabilizer spar to the fuselage bulkhead. If there is no deformation or elongation of these bolt holes and if the holes in the stabilizer spar and the fuselage bulkhead are in correct alignment the AN 3 bolts must be reinstalled, torquing them to 25-30 inch-pounds.

If there is deformation or elongation of the attach bolt holes, a repair can be accomplished by reaming these 3/16-inch holes to 1/4-inch diameter with the stabilizers firmly blocked in the proper position with the fuselage. The AN 3 bolts, nuts, and washers must be replaced with AN 4 bolts, nuts, and washers, and they must be torqued to 80-90 inch-pounds in reassembling the stabilizer front spar attachment.

       Replacement of the AN 3 bolts, nuts, and washers with AN 4 bolts, nuts and washers constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

Note:  United States of America Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 51-08-03 is the source document for the requirements of this AD.

Compliance:

1.    Unless previously accomplished, within 6 months after the commencement date of this AD and thereafter at each 100 hours’ time in service or every 12 months, whichever occurs first.

This AD commences on 17 September 2020.

Background:

An audit of the Australian Aircraft Register found that Swift Museum Foundation GC-1A aircraft have been on the register for some time and that requirements equivalent to the applicable FAA ADs have not previously been mandated in Australia for these aircraft.

This AD is issued to mandate requirements equivalent to FAA AD 51-08-03.

Pieter van Dijk
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

25 August 2020