AD 2019-25-20 Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Airplanes

Models named: 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, 382G, C-130A, C-130B, C-130BL, C-130E, C-130H. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes, type certificated in any category; and Model C-130A, C-130B, C-130BL, C-130E, C-130H, C-130H-30, C-130J, C-130J-30, EC-130Q, HC-130H, KC-130H, NC-130B, NC-130, and WC-130H airplanes, type certificated in the restricted or amateur category. The restricted and amateur category airplanes were originally manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, those specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (9) of this AD. (1) LeSEA Model C-130A airplanes, Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) A34SO, Revision 1. (2) T.B.M, Inc., (transferred from Central Air Services, Inc.) Model C-130A airplanes, TCDS A39CE, Revision 3. (3) Western International Aviation, Inc., Model C-130A airplanes, TCDS A33NM. (4) USDA Forest Service Model C-130A airplanes, TCDS A15NM, Revision 4. (5) Snow Aviation International, Inc., Model C-130A, TCDS TQ3CH, Revision 1. (6) Heavylift Helicopter, Inc. (transferred from Hemet Valley Flying Service), Model C-130A, TCDS A31NM, Revision 1. (7) Heavylift Helicopters, Inc., Model C-130B, TCDS A35NM, Revision 1. (8) Hawkins & Powers Aviation, Inc., Model HP-C-130A, TCDS A30NM, Revision 1. (9) Coulson Aviation (USA), Inc., Model EC-130Q, TCDS T00019LA, Revision 2.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(1) On any elevator booster assembly having a part number 374461-5, 374461-7, or 374461-11, before the accumulation of 4,000 total flight hours on the elevator booster assembly, or within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do an inspection of the elevator booster assembly to determine the part number of the elevator booster actuator. If the elevator booster actuator has a part number other than 5C5803, no further action is required by this AD. (2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, any elevator booster actuator having part number 5C5803 is found, before the accumulation of 4,000 total flight hours on the elevator booster assembly, or within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do an ultrasonic inspection of the elevator booster actuator at the forward-most end to detect cracking along the fluid transfer bore, left and right cylinders, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin 382-27-51, Revision 2, dated October 3, 2019. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,400 flight hours. (3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, any cracking is found, before further flight: Replace the elevator booster assembly, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin 382-27-51, Revision 2, dated October 3, 2019.

This AD was prompted by a report indicating that two elevator booster assemblies experienced significant hydraulic fluid leaks, caused by fatigue cracks in the actuator cylinder. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility of a dual failure of the left and right actuator cylinders in the elevator booster assembly, which could lead to a significant reduction in controllability of the airplane.

None.