AD/ML-M4/16 Amdt 1 - Wing Lift Struts

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2006B11285 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

 


Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes

 

AD/ML-M4/16

Amdt 1


Wing Lift Struts 11/98

 

Applicability: All the following aircraft models that are equipped with part number (P/N) 2079E rear wing lift struts or P/N 2080E front wing lift struts:

 

Bee Dee M-4 M-4 M-4C M-4S

 

M-4T  M-4-180C M-4-180S  M-4-180T M-4-210              M-4-210C              M-4-210S              M-4-210T M-4-220              M-4-220C              M-4-220S              M-4-220T

Note 1: This Directive does not apply to aircraft equipped with four Maule sealed lift struts, P/N 2200E and P/N 2201E. These sealed lift struts are identified by two raised weld spots on the upper end of the strut just below the serial number plate. Removal of the upper cuff is needed to locate the weld spots.

 

Requirement: Remove the wing lift struts in accordance with the Instructions section of Maule Service Bulletin (SB) 11, and accomplish Requirement 1, or 2, or 3, or 4.

 

  1. Inspect the wing struts for corrosion in accordance with the Inspection Procedure section of Maule SB 11.

 

  1. If no perceptible dents (as defined in the above SB) are found in the wing lift strut and no corrosion is externally visible, apply corrosion inhibitor to each strut in accordance with Maule SB 11. Re-inspect the wing lift struts provided no perceptible dents or external corrosion is found.

 

b.    If a perceptible dent (as defined in the above SB) is found in the wing lift strut or external corrosion is found, before further flight, accomplish one of the installations (and subsequent actions) specified in Requirements 3 and 4 of this Directive.

 

2.    Inspect the wing lift struts for corrosion in accordance with an approved ultrasonic inspection method.

 

  1. If no external corrosion is found and all requirements in an approved ultrasonic inspection method are met, before further flight, apply corrosion inhibitor to each strut in accordance with Maule SB 11. Re-inspect the lift struts provided no external corrosion is found and all of the requirements in an approved ultrasonic inspection method are met.

 

b.    If external corrosion is found or if any of the requirements of an approved ultrasonic inspection method are not met, before further flight, accomplish one of the installations (and subsequent actions) specified in Requirement 3 and 4 of this Directive.

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

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

 

3.    Install original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part number wing lift struts that have been inspected in accordance with the specifications presented in either Requirement 1 or 2 of this Directive, and are found to be serviceable according to the inspection requirements of Requirement 1 or 2 of this Directive. Accomplish this installation in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual. Thereafter, inspect these wing lift struts in accordance with the specifications presented in either Requirements 1 or 2 of this Directive.

 

4.    Install new Maule sealed wing lift struts, P/N 2200E or 2201E, as applicable on each wing as specified in the Instructions section in Part II of Maule SB 11.

 

5.    If holes are drilled into the sealed wing lift strut assemblies installed as specified in Requirement 4 of this Directive in order to attach cuffs, door clips, or other hardware, inspect the wing lift struts using the procedures specified in either Requirement 1 or 2 of this Directive.

 

Note 2: Appendix to FAA AD 98-15-18, Procedures and Requirements for Ultrasonic Inspection of Maule Wing Lift Struts is an approved ultrasonic inspection method, and may be obtained from the Authority on request.

 

Note 3: The repetitive inspections required by this Directive may be terminated after installing new wing lift strut assemblies as specified in Requirement 4 of this Directive provided no holes are drilled in these strut assemblies as specified in Requirement 5 of this Directive.

 

Note 4: FAA AD 98-15-18 Amdt 39-10669 refers.

 

Compliance: For Requirements 1, 2, 3, and 4, as applicable:

 

Upon accumulating 2 years on a lift strut affected by this Directive, within 3 calendar months after 8 October 1998, or within 2 years after the last inspection accomplished in accordance with the initial issue of this Directive; whichever occurs later.

 

For Requirements 1(a), 2(a), 3, and 5, as applicable:

 

Inspect at intervals not to exceed 24 calendar months. This amendment becomes effective on 8 October 1998.

Background:  The wing of a Maule aircraft separated in flight. Investigation revealed that the unsealed lift strut failed due to internal corrosion.

 

Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which retains the initial inspection and possible replacement requirements of the previous AD, but now requires the inspections to be repetitive, while providing the option of using ultrasonic procedures to accomplish the inspection requirements.

 

The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 14 February 1996.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, address various aspects of civil aviation safety, including the issuance of airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft in operation. One such airworthiness directive is AD/ML-M4/16, which pertains specifically to Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the integrity of wing lift struts on these aircraft models, following an incident where a wing separated in flight due to internal corrosion of an unsealed lift strut. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate regular inspections and, if necessary, the replacement of lift struts to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This directive outlines the specific requirements for inspecting and replacing wing lift struts, as well as the intervals at which these inspections and replacements must be performed.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to specific models of Maule M-4 Series aeroplanes equipped with certain wing lift struts, namely part numbers 2079E and 2080E. This legislation mandates regular inspections and maintenance for these aircraft to ensure airworthiness and safety, particularly focusing on the prevention of internal corrosion and structural failure of the wing lift struts. The directive applies to models including the Bee Dee M-4, M-4, M-4C, M-4S, M-4T, M-4-180C, M-4-180S, M-4-180T, M-4-210, M-4-210C, M-4-210S, M-4-210T, M-4-220, M-4-220C, M-4-220S, and M-4-220T. Notably, the directive does not apply to aircraft equipped with the four Maule sealed lift struts, part numbers 2200E and 2201E, identifiable by two raised weld spots. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, given its administration by the Commonwealth of Australia through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Compliance with the directive is mandatory for all applicable aircraft within Australia, with specific timelines and intervals for inspections and necessary actions to be taken if corrosion or dents are detected.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for the Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on wing lift struts (sections 1, 3, 4, and 5). Section 1 outlines the applicability of the directive to specific Maule aircraft models equipped with certain wing lift struts, excluding those with sealed lift struts. The requirement section (section 2) mandates the removal of the wing lift struts and subsequent inspections, as per the instructions in Maule Service Bulletin (SB) 11. Depending on the findings of the inspection, the directive specifies actions such as applying corrosion inhibitor, replacing the struts, or performing ultrasonic inspections. Section 3 details the installation of either serviceable original equipment manufacturer (OEM) lift struts or new sealed lift struts, P/N 2200E or 2201E. Section 4 requires the installation of new sealed wing lift struts and, if necessary, subsequent inspections if holes are drilled into these struts. The obligations under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 require the operators and maintenance personnel of the specified Maule aircraft to adhere to the detailed inspection, replacement, and maintenance procedures outlined in the airworthiness directive. This includes conducting thorough inspections of the wing lift struts for corrosion and dents, applying corrosion inhibitors where appropriate, and replacing struts if required. Operators must ensure compliance with the inspection intervals specified, which can vary from 2 years to 24 months, depending on the specific requirements met and the age of the struts. Additionally, if any modifications are made to the sealed lift struts, further inspections must be conducted to ensure continued airworthiness. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also delineates potential consequences for non-compliance with the airworthiness directive. Failure to adhere to the specified inspection and maintenance requirements can result in serious safety risks, potentially leading to the structural failure of the wing lift struts. Civil penalties may be imposed for non-compliance, with potential sanctions including fines and the grounding of non-compliant aircraft. In severe cases, criminal charges could be brought against responsible parties, such as aircraft owners or maintenance personnel, leading to more substantial penalties and legal repercussions. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the provided text but typically align with the severity of the non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.