AD 2013-23-08 Airworthiness Directives; AQUILA-Aviation by Excellence AG Airplanes

Models named: AT01. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Aquila—Aviation by Excellence AG Model AT01 airplanes, serial numbers AT01-100 through AT01-299, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions, as specified in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(6), including subparagraphs, of this AD: Note 1 to paragraph (f) of this AD: The service information referenced in this AD contains German to English translation. The MCAI cites the English translation. The following is the English to German translation of the service information entitled: AQUILA Aviation GmbH Vorgeschrieben Technische Mitteilung SB-AT01-027, dated August 15, 2013 (English translation: AQUILA Aviation GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-AT01-027, Issue A.02, dated August 15, 2013). For paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(6), the service information will be cited using the English translation. (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after December 30, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) or 3 months after December 30, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, visually inspect the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) wing tank areas following paragraph (1) of the Actions section of AQUILA Aviation GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-AT01-027, Issue A.02, dated August 15, 2013. (2) Concurrent with the initial inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, seal the tapped through bore holes inside the LH and RH fuel tank openings following paragraph (2) of the Actions section of AQUILA Aviation GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-AT01-027, Issue A.02, dated August 15, 2013. (3) If, during any subsequent inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, a tapped through bore hole inside the LH or RH fuel tank opening is found to be improperly sealed, within the next 100 hours TIS after detecting the improper seal or 3 months after detecting the improper seal, whichever occurs first, renew the sealing of the affected bore hole following paragraph (2) of the Actions section of AQUILA Aviation GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-AT01-027, Issue A.02, dated August 15, 2013. (4) If, during any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, the upper wing shells show damaged finishing in the tank areas, before further flight, contact AQUILA Aviation GmbH following paragraph (3) of the Actions section of AQUILA Aviation GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-AT01-027, Issue A.02, dated August 15, 2013, at the address identified in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD for an approved repair scheme and, accomplish the repair scheme before further flight. (5) Accomplishment of corrective actions required in paragraph (f)(3) or (f)(4) of this AD does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. (6) After accomplishment of the required initial inspection and sealing in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, compliance with the requirements of this AD can be demonstrated by: (i) Revising the approved Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP) and standard practices (Instructions for Continued Airworthiness) on the basis of which the operator or the owner ensures the continuing airworthiness of each airplane: Incorporate the repetitive 12 calendar month visual inspection of the LH and RH wing tank areas required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, Actions section of AQUILA Aviation GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-AT01-027, Issue A.02, dated August 15, 2013; and (ii) Complying with the approved AMP described in paragraph (f)(6)(i) of this AD.

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: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: doug.rudolph@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.

This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a defective sealing of a tapped through bore hole at the inside of the fuel tank openings in combination with prolonged periods at maximum fuel level. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct a defective sealing of a tapped through bore hole at the inside of the fuel tank openings, which if not detected and corrected, could cause long-term structural degradation of the wing structure.

None.