AD 2015-11-01 Airworthiness Directives; Slingsby Aviation Ltd. Airplanes

Models named: T67M260, T67M260-T3A. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Slingsby Aviation Ltd. Models T67M260 and T67M260-T3A airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD. (1) Before further flight after June 16, 2015 (the effective date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter every 300 hours time-in-service or 12 months, whichever occurs first, inspect the brake master cylinder pivot pins, part number T67M-45-539, installed on rudder pedal assemblies #1 and #4. Do the inspections following the Accomplishment Instructions in Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group Service Bulletin SBM 200, Revision 1, dated April 2015. This AD does not require the retention and reporting requirements of paragraph (2) of F. COMPLETION in the Accomplishment Instructions of this service bulletin. (2) If, during any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, any crack or distortion to a brake master cylinder pivot pin is found, or a pivot pin fails the dimensional check, before further flight, replace the affected pivot pin with a serviceable part. Do the replacement as specified in paragraph C.(1)(j) of the Inspection section of the Accomplishment Instructions in Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group Service Bulletin SBM 200, Revision 1, dated April 2015. After doing this replacement, continue with the repetitive inspection requirement in paragraph (f)(1) 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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@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) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failure of a brake master cylinder pivot pin. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a brake master cylinder pivot pin, which could cause the rudder pedal mechanism to detach from the brake master cylinder. This failure could result in jammed rudder controls and consequent loss of control.

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