AD 98-19-15 Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft, Inc. SA226 and SA227 Series Airplanes

Models SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-AT, SA226-TC, SA227-TT, SA227-AT, SA227-AC, SA227-BC, SA227-CC, and SA227-DC airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category; that are equipped with Barber-Colman pitch trim actuators, part number (P/N) 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability 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 (e) 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 or made unnecessary by replacement of the P/N 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005 Barber-Colman pitch trim actuator with a Simmonds-Precision actuator, P/N DL5040M5, P/N DL5040M6, or P/N DL5040M8; or a Barber-Colman actuator, P/N 27- 19008-006 or P/N 27-19008-007. To lessen the possibility of airplane pitch up caused by mechanical failure of the pitch trim actuator, which could result in a pitch upset and structural failure of the airplane, accomplish the following: To lessen the possibility of airplane pitch up caused by mechanical failure of the pitch trim actuator, which could result in a pitch upset and structural failure of the airplane, accomplish the following: (a) Prior to further flight after September 25, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-19-15), revise the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by incorporating the following into the Limitations Section of the AFM. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM: ``Limit the maximum indicated airspeed to maneuvering airspeed (Va) as shown in the appropriate airplane flight manual (AFM).'' and ``The minimum crew required is two pilots.'' Note 2: Fairchild Service Letter 226-SL-017, Fairchild Service Letter 227-SL-033, and Fairchild Service Letter CC7-SL-023, all FAA Approved: August 26, 1998; Revised: September 2, 1998; address the subject matter of this AD. Note 3: The prior to further flight compliance time of paragraph (a) of this AD is being retained from AD 98-19-15. The only substantive difference between this AD and AD 98-19-15 is the addition of the alternative method of compliance referenced in paragraph (c) of this AD. (b) Incorporating the AFM revision, as specified in paragraph (a) of this AD, may be performed by 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), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). Note 4: This AD does not affect AD 97-23-01, Amendment 39-10188 (62 FR 5922, November 3, 1997). AD 97-23-01 still applies to all SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with either Barber-Colman or Simmonds-Precision pitch trim actuators. AD 97-23-01 will be superseded to cover the improved design pitch trim actuators referenced in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD. AD 97-23-01 requires the following: --repetitively measuring the freeplay of the pitch trim actuator and repetitively inspecting the actuator for rod slippage or ratcheting; --immediately replacing any actuator if certain freeplay limitations are exceeded or rod slippage or ratcheting is evident; and --eventually replacing the Simmonds-Precision actuators regardless of the inspection results. (c) As an alternative method of compliance to the requirements of this AD, replace each of the P/N 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27- 19008-002/-005 Barber-Colman pitch trim actuators with one of the following, or FAA-approved equivalent part number: (1) Barber-Colman P/N 27-19008-006 or P/N 27-19008-007 pitch trim actuators. Procedures to install these pitch trim actuators are contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin 226-27-064 , Fairchild Service Bulletin 227-27-046, and Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27- 015. All airplane models are eligible for this installation and airplane models vary by service bulletin; (2) Simmonds-Precision P/N DL5040M5 or P/N DL5040M6 pitch trim actuators. All airplane models are eligible for this installation. Procedures and limitations to install these pitch trim actuators for the Models SA227-CC and SA227-DC airplanes are contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-014, and are contained in engineering data for all other models (contact Fairchild); or (3) Simmonds-Precision P/N DL5040M8 pitch trim actuators. Procedures and limitations to install these pitch trim actuators are contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin 227-27-045, Fairchild Service Bulletin 226-27-063, and Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27- 013. All airplane models [[Page 1542]] are eligible for this installation and airplane models vary by service bulletin. (d) 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. (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150. (1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Fort Worth ACO. (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance with AD 98-19-15 are considered approved as alternative methods of compliance for this AD. Note 5: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Fort Worth ACO. (f) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of the documents referred to herein upon request to Fairchild Aircraft, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-0490; or may examine these documents at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. (g) This amendment becomes effective on March 3, 2000. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 4, 2000. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 00-537 Filed 1-10-00; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U