Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-12012 · Vulcanair S.p.A. Models P 68 “OBSERVER”, P68 “OBSERVER 2”, and P68TC “OBSERVER” Airplanes
Vulcanair S.p.A. Models P 68 “OBSERVER”, P68 “OBSERVER 2”, and P68TC “OBSERVER” Airplanes
This AD affects Models P 68 “OBSERVER”, P68 “OBSERVER 2”, and P68TC “OBSERVER” airplanes, all serial numbers up to and including 400, that are certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Vulcanair S.p.A. (Vulcanair) Models P 68 "OBSERVER", P68 "OBSERVER 2", and P68TC "OBSERVER" airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the nose landing gear (NLG) upper strut for evidence of cracking (cracks or crack beginnings), and replace the NLG upper strut if you find evidence of cracking. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the NLG upper strut caused by cracking in the area of the seeger retaining ring groove, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
| Action | Compliance time | Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Inspect, using magnetic particle methods, the NLG upper strut, part number 4.4173-1 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number), for evidence of cracking (cracks or crack beginnings) | Within the next 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after January 5, 2001 (the effective date of this AD) | Do this inspection in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Vulcanair Service Bulletiin No. 98, dated July 31, 1999. |
| (2) If there is evidence of cracking, replace the NLG upper strut with a new NLG upper strut, part number 4.4173-1 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number) | Prior to further flight after the inspection where evidence of cracking is found | Use the procedures in the maintenance manual. |
| (3) Do not install any NLG upper strut, part number 4.4173-1, unless it is new from the factory, or has been inspected as required in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD and is found to not have any evidence of cracking | As of January 5, 2001 (the effective date of this AD) | Not Applicable. |
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
