AD 2014-16-03 Airworthiness Directives; Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. Airplanes

Models named: FA-200-160, FA-200-180, FA-200-180AO. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. Models FA-200-160, FA-200-180, and FA-200-180AO airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions required by paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this AD: (1) As of September 9, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), if the brake master cylinder O-rings have accumulated more than 1,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 5 years since the last replacement of any O-ring or if the replacement date of any O-ring cannot be determined, within 50 hours TIS after September 9, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) or 1 year after September 9, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, replace any O-ring following Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 200-016, dated April 17, 2014. (2) As of September 9, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), every time the brake master cylinder is replaced, inspect the manufacture date on the data tag of the brake master cylinder or the last replacement date of any O-ring by referring to the airframe logbook. (3) During any inspection of the manufacture date of the brake master cylinder or the last replacement date of any O-ring as required by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, if it is determined that the O-rings have accumulated more than 5 years since the manufacture date on the data tag of the brake master cylinder or the last replacement date of the brake master cylinder O-rings, or if the manufacture date on the data tag on the brake master cylinder and the last replacement date of any brake master cylinder O-ring cannot be determined, before further flight, replace all brake master cylinder O-rings when installed on the airplane following Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 200-016, dated April 17, 2014.

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 deterioration of brake performance due to seal defects caused by deterioration due to age of the O-rings of the brake master cylinders. We are issuing this AD to prevent the deterioration of brake performance, which could result in reduced or loss of control during ground operations.

None.