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 39.1 (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.
Airtractor 800 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AT 800/5
Amdt 1
Aft Fuselage Structure Upper Longeron 10/2004
Applicability: Model AT 802 and AT-802A aircraft, serial numbers 0001 through 0139. Requirement: 1. For Model AT-802 and AT-802A aircraft, serial numbers 0001 through 0004 and
0012 through 0118:
Inspect the upper longeron on the left hand side of the fuselage frame, just forward of the vertical fin front spar attachment, for cracks in accordance with Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter (SL) No. 217A, dated 10 November 2003, as specified in SL No. 195, re-issued 10 November 2003.
2. For Model AT-802 and AT-802A aircraft, serial numbers 0005 through 0011:
Inspect the upper longeron on the left hand side of the fuselage frame, just forward of the vertical fin front spar attachment, for cracks in accordance with SL No. 217A, dated 10 November 2003, as specified in SL No. 195, re-issued 10 November 2003.
3. For Model AT-802 and AT-802A aircraft, serial numbers 0119 through 0139:
Inspect the upper longeron on the left hand side of the fuselage frame, just forward of the vertical fin front spar attachment, for cracks in accordance with SL No. 217A, dated 10 November 2003, as specified in SL No. 195, re-issued 10 November 2003.
Note: FAA AD 2004-15-15 Amdt 39-13749 refers.
Compliance: 1. Initially inspect upon the accumulation of 250 total hours time in service or within the next 100 hours time in service after the last inspection required by the original issue of this Directive, whichever occurs later. Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service, until the upper longeron is replaced and modified in accordance with SL No. 217B, revised 10 November 2003.
Airtractor 800 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AT 800/5 Amdt 1 (continued)
2. Initially inspect upon the accumulation of 900 total hours time in service or within the next 100 hours time in service after the last inspection required by the original issue of this Directive, whichever occurs later. Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service, until the upper longeron is replaced and modified in accordance with SL No. 217B, revised 10 November 2003.
3. Initially inspect upon the accumulation of 1,750 total hours time in service or within the next 100 hours time in service after the last inspection required by the original issue of this Directive, whichever occurs later. Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service, until the upper longeron is replaced and modified in accordance with SL No. 217B, revised 10 November 2003.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Background: The FAA received reports of three occurrences of cracks found on the left hand upper longeron and upper diagonal support tubes where they intersect on the left side of the fuselage frame just forward of the vertical fin front spar attachment point, on Model AT-602 aircraft. The cracks were found by the pilot and/or ground crew when they noticed excessive movement of the empennage due to the loss of torsional rigidity.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD, which changes the compliance times, and incorporates new and revised manufacturer service information that contains a terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/AT 800/5 Amdt 1 was issued in 2004 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns related to cracks found in the upper longeron structure of Airtractor 800 Series Aeroplanes, specifically models AT-802 and AT-802A, serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0139. This directive was enacted to rectify an unsafe condition identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, which had reported multiple instances of cracks in the upper longeron of AT-602 aircraft. These cracks led to noticeable empennage movement due to a loss of torsional rigidity, posing a significant risk to airworthiness. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate regular inspections and, if necessary, modifications to ensure the continued safe operation of these aircraft. Compliance with this directive involves detailed inspection procedures as outlined in Snow Engineering Co. Service Letters No. 217A and No. 217B, with specific intervals for inspections based on the aircraft's accumulated flight hours.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) F2006B02540 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Airtractor 800 Series Aeroplanes, namely Model AT-802 and AT-802A aircraft within specified serial numbers. The directive mandates inspections of the upper longeron on the left side of the fuselage frame, just forward of the vertical fin front spar attachment, for cracks in accordance with detailed instructions provided by Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter (SL) No. 217A, dated 10 November 2003. This inspection is necessitated by reports of cracks in similar aircraft, leading to excessive movement of the empennage due to loss of torsional rigidity. The AD is applicable on a national level, enforceable across Australia, and becomes effective from 30 September 2004. The inspections must occur at specific intervals based on the aircraft’s total hours in service, with the requirement to replace and modify the upper longeron in accordance with SL No. 217B once it is identified as necessary. The directive is responsive to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD, indicating alignment with international safety standards and practices.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/AT 800/5 Amdt 1 outlines specific requirements for the inspection and maintenance of the upper longeron on the left side of the fuselage frame, just forward of the vertical fin front spar attachment, on Airtractor 800 Series Aeroplanes, models AT-802 and AT-802A, with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0139. The directive mandates inspections for cracks in the specified area of the fuselage, following the guidelines provided in Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter (SL) No. 217A, dated 10 November 2003, as detailed in SL No. 195, re-issued on the same date. Depending on the serial number range of the aircraft, the initial inspection is required at different flight hour milestones, either 250, 900, or 1,750 total hours, and subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 100 hours until the longeron is replaced and modified according to SL No. 217B, revised on 10 November 2003.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure compliance with the inspection and maintenance requirements. Operators and maintenance personnel must conduct the inspections as specified, using the guidelines provided by Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter No. 217A, and must ensure that any identified issues are addressed in accordance with SL No. 217B. The directive also requires that the aircraft remain airworthy by adhering to the prescribed inspection intervals and maintenance actions. Operators must keep detailed records of all inspections and any actions taken to comply with the directive.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant consequences. While the directive does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties, non-compliance can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, legal action, or other regulatory penalties. The severity of the consequences will depend on the extent of non-compliance and its impact on the airworthiness of the aircraft. Ensuring adherence to the directive is therefore crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the affected Airtractor 800 Series Aeroplanes.