Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11587 · Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model Astra SPX Series Airplanes
Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model Astra SPX Series Airplanes
Model Astra SPX series airplanes, certificated in any category.
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 (b) 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.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Israel Aircraft Industries Model Astra SPX series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to measure the countersink angle of the bolt holes in the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal stabilizer, and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracks in the lower scissors fitting and fitting attachment bolts of the horizontal stabilizer, which could result in possible in-flight loss of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
To prevent cracks in the lower scissors fitting and fitting attachment bolts of the horizontal stabilizer, which could result in possible in-flight loss of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a detailed visual inspection of the bolt holes in the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal stabilizer to measure the countersink angle, in accordance with Astra Alert Service Bulletin 1125-55A-192, Revision 1, dated June 1, 1999.
(1) If the measured angle of countersink is within the limits specified in the alert service bulletin, no further action is required by this AD.
(2) If the measured countersink angle is outside the limits specified in the alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, perform a detailed visual inspection of the fitting attachment bolts in the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal stabilizer to detect concave bolt heads, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(i) If no bolt head is found to be concave, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 flight hours; and, within 250 flight hours after the initial inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, rework all bolt holes and replace the existing bolts with new bolts in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin. Such rework constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this paragraph.
(ii) If any bolt head is found to be concave, prior to further flight, rework all bolt holes and replace the existing bolts with new bolts, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual inspection is defined as: “An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.”
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
