AD 2017-10-03 Airworthiness Directives; ZLIN AIRCRAFT a.s. Airplanes

Models named: Z-242L. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to ZLIN AIRCRAFT a.s. Model Z-242L airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) For all affected airplanes: As of March 21, 2003 (the effective date of AD 2003-03-13 (68 FR 4905, January 21, 2003) (“AD 2003-03-13”)), annotate Acrobatic and Utility category operational time in the logbook. If the airplane is utilized in either of these categories at any time during a flight, annotate the total time for that flight in the Utility or Acrobatic category, as appropriate. Do the logbook annotation following the procedures in Moravan-Aeroplanes a.s. Mandatory Service Bulletin Z 142C/17a, Z 242L/37a—Rev. 1, dated October 31, 2000; and Moravan Mandatory Service Bulletin Z 242L/38a—Rev. 1, April 15, 2003. The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 may do this action. (2) For airplane serial numbers 0001 through 0656 that do not have strengthened wings installed (both left and right side) in accordance with Moravan Mandatory Service Bulletin Z 242L/27a—Rev. 1, dated October 31, 2000, or Rev. 2, dated April 15, 2003: (i) On or before 10 days after June 5, 2003 (the effective date of AD 2003-11-12), incorporate aerobatic frequency information into the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) as specified in Moravan Mandatory Service Bulletin Z 242L/38a—Rev. 1, April 15, 2003. The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 may do this action. Make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with these portions of this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). (ii) On or before reaching 190 hours time-in-service in the Acrobatic category and/or Utility category or on or before 90 days after March 21, 2003 (the effective date of AD 2003-03-13), whichever occurs later, insert the following information into the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM): “Do not operate in the Acrobatic or Utility category. Operate in the Normal category only.” The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may accomplish this AFM insertion of this AD. Make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with these portions of this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). This operational restriction is referenced in Moravan-Aeroplanes a.s. Mandatory Service Bulletin Z 142C/17a, Z 242L/37a—Rev. 1, dated October 31, 2000. (3) For airplane serial numbers 0657 or higher or one in the range of 0001 through 0656 that has strengthened wings (both left and right side) installed in accordance with Moravan Mandatory Service Bulletin Z 242L/27a—Rev. 1, dated October 31, 2000, or Rev. 2, dated April 15, 2003: On or before 10 days after June 5, 2003 (the effective date of AD 2003-11-12), incorporate aerobatic frequency information into the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) as specified in Moravan Mandatory Service Bulletin Z 242L/38a—Rev.1, April 15, 2003. The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 may do this action. Make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with these portions of this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). (4) For all affected airplanes: Within 10 days after July 5, 2017 (the effective date of this AD), insert Chapter 9, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision No. 22, dated March 15, 2016, of ZLIN AIRCRAFT a.s. Z 242 L, DOC. No. 003.22.1 Maintenance Manual-Vol. I into the Limitations section of the FAA-approved maintenance program ( e.g., maintenance manual). The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may accomplish this maintenance manual insertion requirement of this AD. Make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with these portions of this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). If a discrepancy is found during the accomplishment of any of the actions required by the document listed in this paragraph, before further flight after finding such discrepancy, contact ZLIN AIRCRAFT a.s. at the address specified in paragraph (h) of this AD for an FAA-approved repair scheme and incorporate that repair scheme.

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 need to incorporate new revisions into the Limitations section, Chapter 9, of the FAA-approved maintenance program ( e.g., maintenance manual). We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the wing due to fatigue cracking. Such failure could result in a wing separating from the airplane with consequent loss of control.

This AD replaces AD 2003-11-12, Amendment 39-13171 (68 FR 32629, June 2, 2003) (“AD 2003-11-12”).