AD 2007-04-02 Airworthiness Directives; CTRM Aviation Sdn. Bhd. (Formerly Eagle Aircraft (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.) Model Eagle 150B Airplanes

Models named: Eagle 150B. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD affects Model Eagle 150B airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

To address this problem, you must do the following:   Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Inspect the gusset weld area of the canard inboard flap hinge support brackets, part number (P/N) 5731D01-05 and P/N 5731D01-02, for cracked, lifted, or missing paint in the area of the weld or suspected cracks. Initially inspect before the next flight after June 4, 2004 (the effective date of AD 2004-11-04). Repetitively inspect thereafter before the first flight of each day Follow Eagle Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 1109, Revision Original, Effective Date August 29, 2003. (2) If cracked, lifted, or missing paint in the area of the weld or suspected cracks are found during any inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, inspect the affected bracket more fully as specified in the service bulletin. Before further flight after any inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, where cracked, lifted, or missing paint in the area of the weld or suspected cracks are found Follow Eagle Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 1109, Revision Original, Effective Date August 29, 2003. (3) Replace any canard inboard flap hinge support brackets, P/N 5731D01-05 and P/N 5731D01-02, with new design inboard flap hinge brackets, P/N 5731D05-01 and P/N 5731D06-01. Before further flight after any inspection where cracks are found or within 6 months after March 21, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first. This action terminates the repetitive inspections required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD Follow Eagle Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 1120, Original, Effective Date June 3, 2005. (4) Do not install any canard inboard flap hinge support brackets, P/N 5731D01-05 and P/N 5731D01-02 As of March 21, 2007 (the effective date of this AD) Not Applicable. (f) The Australian AD allows an appropriately trained pilot to perform the visual inspections of the canard inboard flap hinge support brackets. Although the Malaysian AD does not specifically state this, it does refer to the Australian AD. Regardless, the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.3) only allow the pilot to perform preventive maintenance as described in 14 CFR part 43, App. A, paragraph (c). These visual inspections are not considered preventive maintenance under 14 CFR part 43, App. A, paragraph (c). Therefore, an appropriately-rated mechanic must perform all actions of this AD. Special Flight Permit (g) Special flight permits are not allowed for this AD. Part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) provides that FAA may issue special flight permits for ADs, unless otherwise specified in the individual AD. The FAA has determined that the safety issue is severe enough that failure of the canard inboard flap hinge support brackets must be prevented and cracks in this area must be detected before further operation. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h) The Manager, Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (i) AMOCs approved for AD 2004-11-04 are approved for this AD. Related Information (j) Malaysian AD No. CAM AD 001-01-2004 R1, dated December 23, 2005; and Australian AD No. CASA AD/X-TS/5, dated August 21, 2003, revised April 2, 2004, also address the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use Eagle Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 1120, Original, Effective Date June 3, 2005; and Eagle Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 1109, Revision Original, Effective Date August 29, 2003 to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Eagle Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 1120, Original, Effective Date June 3, 2005, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) On June 4, 2004 (69 FR 30189, May 27, 2004), the Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of Eagle Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 1109, Revision Original, Effective Date August 29, 2003. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact CTRM Aviation Sdn. Bhd. (formerly known as Eagle Aircraft Sdn. Bhd.), Locked Bag 1028, Pejabat Pos Besar Melaka, 75150 Melaka, Malaysia; telephone: 06 317 1007; fax: 06 317 7023. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 5, 2007. David R. Showers, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-2319 Filed 2-13-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Malaysia. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct cracks in the canard inboard flap hinge support brackets, which could result in loss of retention of controls and consequently, loss of airplane control.