AD/ML-M6/1 Amdt 1 - Wing Lift Struts

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

Legislation au F2006B11305 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-6 Series Aeroplanes

 

AD/ML-M6/1

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:

 

M-6-180 and M-6-235

 

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 (Cth), specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, outlines the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of Maule M-6 Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the wing lift struts. This directive was introduced to address the problem of structural failure due to internal corrosion in the wing lift struts, as evidenced by an incident where a wing separated in flight. The policy objective is to ensure the safety and integrity of aircraft operations by mandating regular inspections and maintenance of these critical components. The directive was enacted by the Australian Government, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and is aimed at preventing similar incidents by requiring inspections, replacements, or repairs of wing lift struts as necessary to maintain airworthiness. Compliance with these directives is essential to ensure that aircraft remain in a safe and airworthy condition.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Maule M-6 Series Aeroplanes, namely the M-6-180 and M-6-235 models, equipped with specific part number rear and front wing lift struts. This directive does not extend to aircraft equipped with four sealed lift struts identified by particular part numbers and specific physical characteristics. The requirement imposed by this directive mandates the removal of specified wing lift struts and subsequent inspection for corrosion, with further actions contingent upon the findings of this inspection. If no perceptible damage or external corrosion is found, corrosion inhibitor must be applied and the struts re-inspected. If damage or corrosion is identified, the directive specifies certain installations and further actions that must be undertaken before any further flight. Compliance with these requirements is time-bound, with specific inspection intervals stipulated to ensure ongoing airworthiness. This regulation extends its applicability across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing stringent safety measures within the aviation industry to prevent failures such as the one experienced with the wing separation incident.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, outlines specific airworthiness directives concerning Maule M-6 Series Aeroplanes, particularly those equipped with rear wing lift struts (P/N 2079E) or front wing lift struts (P/N 2080E) for models M-6-180 and M-6-235 (sections 1 and 11/98). These directives mandate detailed inspections and possible replacements to ensure the aircraft's airworthiness. Specifically, aircraft owners or operators must adhere to the instructions detailed in Maule Service Bulletin (SB) 11, which includes inspecting the lift struts for corrosion and perceptible dents, and applying corrosion inhibitors if no significant damage is found (section 1). The legislation imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, the wing lift struts must be removed and inspected according to the instructions in Maule SB 11 (section 1). If no perceptible dents or external corrosion are found, the struts must be treated with corrosion inhibitors and re-inspected (section 1(a)). If any damage is identified, the struts must be replaced with either OEM parts or new sealed lift struts (P/N 2200E or 2201E) as specified (sections 3 and 4). Additionally, if holes are drilled into the sealed struts for installation purposes, the struts must be re-inspected according to the same requirements (section 5). Failure to comply with these directives can result in severe consequences. The regulations specify that inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 24 calendar months and within specific timeframes after the initial issue of the directive or within 2 years of the last inspection (section Compliance). Non-compliance with these requirements could potentially lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, resulting in significant operational disruptions and possible legal repercussions. While specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, non-compliance with civil aviation regulations generally can result in substantial fines and other enforcement actions under Australian aviation law.

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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.