AD 2013-03-01 Airworthiness Directives; Pacific Aerospace Limited Airplanes

Makes named: pacific aerospace. Models named: FU24-954, FU24A-954. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Pacific Aerospace Limited Models FU24-954 and FU24A-954 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are: (1) certificated in any category; and (2) modified to conduct parachute operations.

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) As of October 18, 2010 (the effective date retained from AD 2010-20-18, Amendment 39-16453 (75 FR 59606, September 28, 2010)), before further parachute-drop operations: (i) Amend the airplane flight manual (AFM) to restrict maximum occupancy of the cabin aft of fuselage station (F.S) 118.84 to 6 persons. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM adjacent to the applicable supplement for parachuting operations; and (ii) Fabricate a placard at least 2 by 4 inches (using at least 1/8-inch letters) and install the placard in two places, one on each side of the aft cabin, in view of all occupants as they enter and occupy the cabin which states the following: Maximum occupancy of this cabin limited to six persons for parachuting operations. Weight and balance must be confirmed for each flight. (2) As of October 18, 2010 (the effective date retained from AD 2010-20-18, Amendment 39-16453 (75 FR 59606, September 28, 2010)), before further parachute-drop operations, the weight and balance calculation must comply with the following limitations and establish that the aircraft C of G will remain within AFM limits for the duration of the flight: (i) Use actual weights for all occupants and their equipment to do the calculation; (ii) Account for the positions of all occupants in the calculation. Do the calculation with the occupants' (parachuting group) positions at the most aft positions that result from the rearmost members of the group sitting against the aft cabin wall and subsequent occupants located immediately forward of them, unless a means of restraint is provided to prevent the occupants moving rearwards from their normal position; and (iii) Keep a record of the C of G determination for each parachuting operation.

Within the next 15 days after March 19, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do the following: (1) Add fuselage station (F.S.) reference line placards inside the rear cabin walls following the instructions in Section 2.5, Placards, of the CAA Approved AFM Supplement for Aircraft Modified for Parachuting Operations, PT6 Fletcher-EX Document Reference: AIR 2817-FMS-P1, dated October 15, 2012, or Walter Fletcher Document Reference: AIR 2672-FMS-P1, dated October 15, 2012, as applicable. (2) Insert Section 2.4, Weight and Balance, of the CAA Approved AFM Supplement for Aircraft Modified for Parachuting Operations, PT6 Fletcher-EX Document Reference: AIR 2817-FMS-P1, dated October 15, 2012, or Walter Fletcher Document Reference: AIR 2672-FMS-P1, dated October 15, 2012, as applicable, into the AFM.

This AD was prompted by reports of aircraft operating outside the aft center of gravity (C of G) limits during parachute-drop operations. We are issuing this AD to prevent exceeding C of G limits, which could result in loss of control of the aircraft.

This AD supersedes AD 2010-20-18, Amendment 39-16453 (75 FR 59606, September 28, 2010).