AD 2018-07-15 Airworthiness Directives; XtremeAir GmbH Airplanes

Models named: XA42. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to XtremeAir GmbH Model XA42 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are: (1) Equipped with an engine mount part number (P/N) XA42-7120-151; and (2) certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (4) of this AD. (1) Before the next acrobatic flight after April 30, 2018 (the effective date of this AD) or within 50 hours time-in-service after the installation of P/N XA42-7120-151 engine mount on the airplane, whichever occurs later, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 acrobatic flight hours, inspect the engine mount following the Accomplishment Instructions in XtremeAir Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-XA42-2018-006, Issue A.00, dated March 2, 2018. (2) After the initial inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, acrobatic flight hours must be recorded in the maintenance records. For the purpose of this AD, we define acrobatic flight as “flight during which a load factor of 6g is exceeded.” (3) If a crack is found during any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the engine mount with a serviceable part following the Accomplishment Instructions in XtremeAir Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-XA42-2018-006, Issue A.00, dated March 2, 2018. Replacement of the engine mount does not eliminate the repetitive inspection requirement in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. (4) After the effective date of this AD, you may install a new or used P/N XA42-7120-151 engine mount on the airplane. The used P/N XA42-7120-151 engine mount must be inspected as specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and found free of cracks before installation on the airplane. The repetitive inspection requirement in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD still applies.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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, Policy and Innovation Division, 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and address an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cracking of the diagonal strut of the engine mount frame. We are issuing this AD to detect and address cracking of the engine mount frame, which could lead to detachment of the engine in-flight and result in loss of control.

None.