AD 97-23-01 Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft, Inc. SA226 and SA227 Series Airplanes

All SA226 and SA227 series airplanes (all models and serial numbers), certificated in any category, that are equipped with a Simmonds-Precision pitch trim actuator, (part number (P/N) DL5040M5 or P/N DL5040M6) or a Barber-Colman pitch trim actuator (P/ N 27-19008-001 or P/N 27-19008-002). Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability [[Page 59279]] provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/ operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent failure of the pitch trim actuator, which could cause loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following: Note 2: The paragraph structure of this AD is as follows: Level 1: (a), (b), (c), etc. Level 2: (1), (2), (3), etc. Level 3: (i), (ii), (iii), etc. Level 2 and Level 3 structures are designations of the Level 1 paragraph they immediately follow. (a) Accomplish the following at the times specified in the chart in paragraph (b) of this AD: (1) Initial and repetitive inspections: (i) For airplanes equipped with a Simmonds-Precision actuator, P/N DL5040M5 and P/N DL5040M6, measure the freeplay (inspection) of the pitch trim actuator and inspect the actuator for rod slippage in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Fairchild Aircraft SA226 Series Service Letter (SL) 226-SL-005, or Fairchild Aircraft SA227 Series SL 227-SL-011, both Issued: April 8, 1993, Revised: May 22, 1996, as applicable. (ii) For airplanes equipped with Barber-Colman actuators, P/N 27-19008-001 or P/N 27-19008-002, conduct a functional inspection of the actuator in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Fairchild Aircraft SL 226-SL-014, 227-SL-031, or CC7-SL-021, Issued: October 3, 1997, whichever is applicable. Note 3: the actions in this AD are the same as the actions in AD 93-15-02 R2, except for the repetitive inspections added to the Barber-Colman actuator, P/N 27-19008-001 or P/N 27-19008-002. (2) Initial and repetitive replacements: Replace the pitch trim actuator with one of the following, in accordance with the instructions in the applicable maintenance manual at the time specified in the Repetitive Replacement column of the chart in paragraph (b) of this AD. However, if certain freeplay limitations that are specified in the service letters are exceeded or if rod slippage is found, replace the pitch trim actuator prior to further flight. (i) A new Simmonds-Precision actuator, P/N DL5040M5 or P/N DL5040M6. (ii) A pitch trim actuator with an overhauled, zero-timed part of the same design and part number. (iii) A Barber-Colman actuator, P/N 27-19008-001 or P/N 27- 19008-002. (b) The following chart presents the initial and repetitive inspection and replacement compliance times of this AD: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Condition Initial inspection Repetitive inspection Repetitive replacement ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With an original Simmonds-Precision Upon accumulating 3,000 Every 250 hours TIS Initially upon actuator, P/N DL5040M5, installed. hours TIS on a after initial accumulating 5,000 Simmonds-Precision P/N inspection until hours TIS on the DL5040M5 actuator or accumulating 5,000 actuator or 500 hours within 50 hours TIS hours TIS on the TIS after the initial after April 17, 1995 actuator or 500 hours inspection, whichever (the effective date of TIS after the last occurs later, and AD 93-15-02 R1), inspection required by thereafter as whichever occurs later. AD 93-15-02 R1, indicated below. whichever occurs later. With a replacement Simmonds-Precision Initially upon Every 300 hours TIS Upon accumulating 6,500 actuator, P/N DL5040M5, installed. accumulating 5,000 after the initial hours TIS on the hours TIS on the new inspection until actuator. actuator, or within 50 accumulating 6,500 hours TIS after April hours TIS on the 17, 1995 (the actuator. effective date of AD 93-15-02 R1), whichever occurs later. With a replacement Simmonds-Precision Initially upon Every 300 hours TIS Upon accumulating 9,900 actuator, P/N DL5040M6, installed. accumulating 7,500 after the initial hours TIS on the This part can be new, modified from hours TIS on the new inspection until actuator. a P/N DL5040M5 actuator, or or modified actuator, accumulating 9,900 overhauled and zero-timed. or within 50 hours TIS hours TIS on the after April 17, 1995 actuator. (the effective date of AD 93-15-02 R1), whichever occurs later. With a replacement P/N DL5040M5 Initially upon Every 300 hours TIS Upon accumulating 6,500 actuator installed that was accumulating 5,000 after the initial hours TIS on the overhauled and zero-timed where both hours TIS on the over- inspection until actuator. nut assemblies, P/N AA56142, were hauled actuator, or accumulating 6,500 replaced with new assemblies during within 50 hours TIS hours TIS on the overhaul. after April 17, 1995 actuator. (the effective date of AD 93-15-02 R1), whichever occurs later. With a replacement P/N DL5040M5 Initially upon Every 250 hours TIS Upon accumulating 5,000 actuator installed that was accumulating 3,000 after the initial hours TIS on the overhauled and zero-timed where both hours TIS on the over- inspection until actuator. nut assemblies, P/N AA56142, were hauled actuator, or accumulating 5,000 not replaced with new assemblies within 50 hours TIS hours TIS on the during overhaul. after April 17, 1995 actuator. (the effective date of AD 93-15-02 R1), whichever occurs later. With a Barber-Colman pitch trim Upon accumulating 500 Every 300 hours TIS None. actuator installed, P/N 27-19008-001 hours total TIS on the after the initial or 27-19008-002, currently in- new or overhauled zero- inspection. service with less than 1,000 hours timed pitch trim TIS since new or overhauled, zero- actuator, or within 50 timed. hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. For newly fabricated and over-hauled, Upon accumulating 500 Every 300 hours TIS None. zero-timed Barber-Colman actuator, P/ hours total TIS on the after the initial N 27-19008-001 or P/N 27-19008-002 actuator, or within 50 inspection. actuators. hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 59280]] (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Airplane Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office. Alternative methods of compliance, approved in accordance with AD 93-15-02-R2, are not considered to be approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD. Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Forth Worth Airplane Certification Office. (e) The inspections required by this AD for Fairchild SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with Barber-Colman pitch trim actuators shall be done in accordance with Fairchild Aircraft SA226 Series Service Letter 226-SL-014, Fairchild Aircraft SA227 Series Service Letter 227-SL-031, or Fairchild Aircraft SA227 Series Service Letter CC7-SL-021, all Issued: October 3, 1997, whichever is applicable. This incorporation by reference is approved by the Director of the Federal Register is accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The inspections required by this AD on Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with Simmonds- Precision pitch trim actuators shall be done in accordance with Fairchild Aircraft SA226 Series Service Letter (SL) 226-SL-005, and Fairchild Aircraft SA227 Series SL 227-SL-011, both Issued: April 8, 1993, Revised: May 22, 1996. This incorporation by reference was previously approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 25, 1996 (61 FR 36817, July 15, 1996). Copies of all of the documents may be obtained from Field Support Engineering, Fairchild Aircraft Inc., P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio Texas 78279-0490. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (f) This amendment (39-10188) supersedes AD 93-15-02 R2, Amendment 39-9689. (g) This amendment (39-10188) becomes effective on December 1, 1997. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 27, 1997. Mary Ellen A. Schutt, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 97-28880 Filed 10-31-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-M