COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Airtractor AT-300, 400 and 500 Series Aeroplanes

AD/AT/9

Amdt 2

Applicability: All models.

Control Column Yoke Bolt 2/98

Requirement: Remove the attachment bolt from the control column/aileron torque tube connection and inspect bolt for excessive wear, deformation or cracking.

Note: Snow Engineering Service Letter #103 refers.

Compliance: The inspection is to be carried out:

(a)     Whenever the aircraft has been subjected to heavy wind gusts, jet or rotor blast or any other abnormal loads to the control surfaces whilst the gust locks have not been engaged, and

(b)     If inspected within the last 12 months in accordance with the previous issue of this Directive then within 12 months of that inspection and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 12 months, or

(c)     Within 12 months and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 12 months. This amendment becomes effective on 29 January 1998.

Background: There have been Major Defect Reports of cracking and failure of the bolt. Since the previous amendment was issued, Service Letter #103 has been issued alerting owners to the problem and making available stronger bolts, however the manufacturer still recommends inspection as detailed above. This amendment removes the requirement to carry out a dye penetrant inspection of the bolts and expands the applicability to inspect all control column bolts, irrespective of Part Number.

Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 10 August 1989. The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on

21 November 1988.