AD 2019-06-10 Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes

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

This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. Model AP68TP-300 “SPARTACUS” airplanes, serial numbers (S/N) 8001 through 8006, 8008, 8009, and 8011; and Model AP68TP-600 “VIATOR” airplanes, S/N 9001 through 9005, and 9010; certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (3) within 3 months after April 29, 2019 (the effective date of this AD) or within 50 hours time-in-service after April 29, 2019 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first. (1) Inspect the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) sides of wing rib number 3 and wing rib number 4 for missing reinforcements, cracks, and corrosion by following the Work Procedure, paragraphs 1 through 6, of Vulcanair Aircraft Service Bulletin No. TP-43, First Issue, dated October 15, 2018. (2) If there is no corrosion and no cracks and if a reinforcement is missing, before further flight, install the reinforcement in accordance with the Work Procedure, paragraphs 1 through 19, of Vulcanair Aircraft Service Instruction No. 106, First Issue, dated October 15, 2018, for wing rib number 3 or the Work Procedure, sections 2.2 and 2.3, of Vulcanair Aircraft Service Instruction No. 107, First Issue, dated October 15, 2018, for wing rib number 4, as applicable to the missing reinforcement. (3) If there is any corrosion or a crack, before further flight, repair the wing spar in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA, at the address specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.

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: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:. 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 instead 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 correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cracks on the wing ribs. We are issuing this AD to detect, correct, and prevent cracks on the wing ribs, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing assembly and failure of the wing.

None.