COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CHA/22
Amdt 2
Front Spar Wing Strut Upper Attachment Fitting 11/90
Applicability: All model 8KCAB aircraft .
Note: Although the Applicability is limited to the 8KCAB, the requirement may in future be extended to other models (particularly the aerobatic 7 series) if subsequent service experience and/or analysis so indicates.
Requirement: 1. For P/N 2-1976 fittings. Remove the left and right front spar wing strut upper attachment fittings P/N 2-1976 from the aircraft and conduct a magnetic particle inspection in accordance with the procedures outlined in CAO 108-8 Issue 1, paying particular attention to the welds which connect the strut attachment bolt hole reinforcement plates to the forward and aft “U” channels.
Note : Ensure that the fitting is re-protected after inspection.
2. For P/N 3-1658 fittings. Retire P/N 3-1658 fittings from service.
Compliance: For Requirement 1: Prior to the accumulation of 500 hours component time in service or within 50 hours component time in service after 3 September 1990, whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 250 hours component time in service.
Note: For aircraft with fittings which have exceeded 500 hours, aerobatic manoeuvres should not be flown until the initial inspection has been carried out.
For Requirement 2: Prior to exceeding 1500 hours component time in service.
Background: There have been five reported overseas occurrences of fatigue cracking emanating from the weld area, including one in-flight failure in P/N 2-1976 fittings on 8KCAB aircraft. This amendment limits the Applicability to the Decathlon, replaces the previous one time fluorescent dye penetrant inspection with a repetitive off-aircraft magnetic particle inspection, and promulgates the recommended 1500 hour life limitation for the replacement fittings P/N 3-1658. FAA AD 90-15-15 and American Champion Aircraft Corporation Service Letter 402 refer.