AD 2013-06-04 Airworthiness Directives; REIMS AVIATION S.A. Airplanes

Models named: F406. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to REIMS AVIATION S.A. Model F406 airplanes, serial numbers F406-0001 through F406-0096, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Within the next 4 months after May 3, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the elevator pushrod assemblies, part number (P/N) 6015034-1, and the horizontal tail structure following the Accomplishment Instructions in REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-70, dated July 16, 2012. (2) Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, if fretting is found on the horizontal tail structure, or the clearance between the elevator pushrod assemblies and the horizontal tail structure is found to be insufficient, or looseness at riveted end fittings is found on the elevator pushrods, contact REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES at the address specified in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD for a repair scheme and incorporate the repair scheme. (3) Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, if bending or eccentricity of an elevator pushrod is found that exceeds the allowable limits, replace each affected elevator pushrod with a serviceable part following REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-70, dated July 16, 2012.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, 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: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: albert.mercado@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on 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. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

This AD was prompted by reports of fretting (wear and/or chafing) found between the elevator pushrod assembly and the horizontal tail structure. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct any discrepancies with the elevator pushrod assembly and the horizontal tail structure, which could cause the elevator pushrod to fail. Failure of the elevator pushrod could cause the flight control to jam, which could result in loss of control.

None.