AD 2009-09-09 Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company (Type Certificate Previously Held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (Previously The Lancair Company)) Models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG Airplanes

Makes named: cessna. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category:   Model Serial Nos. LC40-550FG 40001 through 40079. LC41-550FG 41001 through 41800, 411001 and subsequent. LC42-550FG 42001 through 42569, 421001 and subsequent.

To address this problem, you must do the following per Cessna Aircraft Company Single Engine Service Bulletin SB09-27-01, dated April 13, 2009, unless already done:   Condition Initial inspection Repetitive inspection (1) For airplanes with 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or more as of May 11, 2009 (the effective date of this AD): With the rudder removed and using 10X visual magnification, inspect all three rudder hinges and rudder hinge brackets for damage, i.e., cracking, deformation, and discoloration, at whichever of the following occurs first: (i) Within the next 10 hours TIS after May 11, 2009 (the effective date of this AD); or (ii) Within the next 30 days after May 11, 2009 (the effective date of this AD). Thereafter inspect as follows: (A) Every 25 hours TIS or 3 months, whichever occurs first, without removing the rudder, visually inspect all three rudder hinges and rudder hinge brackets for damage; and (B) Every 50 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first, with the rudder removed and using 10X visual magnification, inspect all three rudder hinges and rudder hinge brackets for damage. (2) For airplanes with less than 25 hours TIS as of May 11, 2009 (the effective date of this AD): Without removing the rudder, visually inspect all three rudder hinges and rudder hinge brackets for damage, at whichever of the following occurs later: (i) Upon accumulating 25 hours TIS; or (ii) Within the next 10 hours TIS after May 11, 2009 (the effective date of this AD). Thereafter inspect as follows: (A) Every 25 hours TIS or 3 months, whichever occurs first, without removing the rudder, visually inspect all three rudder hinges and rudder hinge brackets for damage. (B) Every 50 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first, with the rudder removed and using 10X visual magnification, inspect all three rudder hinges and rudder hinge brackets for damage. (3) If damage is found on any of the rudder hinges and/or rudder hinge brackets during any inspection required in paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2), before further flight, replace the damaged rudder hinges and/or rudder hinge brackets with new parts and inspect following the Repetitive Inspection procedures specified in paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD. (4) If the repetitive inspections required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD become due at the same time, credit for both inspections will be given by doing the rudder removal and 10X visual inspection. (5) Use the form (Figure 1 of this AD) to report the results of the following inspections required in this AD to the FAA at the address specified in paragraph (f) of this AD: (i) Initial inspections required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD, report within 10 days after the inspection or within 10 days of May 11, 2009 (after the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. (ii) Repetitive inspections required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD ONLY if cracks are found, report within 10 days after the inspection. (iii) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the information collection requirements contained in this regulation under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.         AD 2009-09-09 Inspection Report Airplane Model Airplane Serial Number Airplane Tach Hours at Time of Inspection Is Upper Rudder Bracket Damaged? No Yes, describe extent of damage Is Middle Rudder Bracket Damaged? No Yes, describe extent of damage Is the Lower Rudder Bracket Damaged? (Models LC40-550FG & LC42-550FG only) No Yes, describe extent of damage Is Lower Rudder Hinge Damaged? (Model LC40-550FG) No Yes, describe extend of damage Were any other discrepancies noticed during the inspection? Name: Telephone and/or e-mail address: Date: Send report to: Gary Park, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-118W, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: gary.park@faa.gov. Figure 1 Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to Attn: Gary Park, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-118W, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4123; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: gary.park@faa.gov. Before using any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. Material Incorporated by Reference (g) You must use Cessna Aircraft Company Single Engine Service Bulletin SB09-27-01, dated April 13, 2009, 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 this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706; Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 942-9006; Internet: http://www.cessna.com. (3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the Central Region, call (816) 329-3768. (4) You may also review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD 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 April 23, 2009. Scott A. Horn, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9-9793 Filed 4-29-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD is the result of reports that cracked lower rudder hinge brackets were found on two of the affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage, i.e., cracking, deformation, and discoloration, in the rudder hinges and the rudder hinge brackets, which could result in failure of the rudder. This failure could lead to loss of control.