Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15220 · Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 58P and 58TC Airplanes
Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 58P and 58TC Airplanes
This AD applies to Models 58P and 58TC airplanes, with the following serial numbers: TJ-177, TJ-178, TJ-180, TJ-211, TJ-213, TJ-247, TJ-284, TJ-285, TJ-289, TJ-290, TJ-314, TJ-322, TJ-367, TJ-368, TJ-370, TJ-371, TJ-425, TJ-426, TJ-433, TJ-442, and TK-33, that are certificated in any category. These airplanes were used as lead airplanes by the United States Forest Service for firefighting missions.
The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) Models 58P and 58TC airplanes that were used as lead airplanes by the United States Forest Service (USFS). This AD establishes new limits for the structural life of the airframe (wing, fuselage, empennage, and associated structure) through the incorporation of a supplement to the Limitations Section of the pilot's operating handbook and airplane flight manual (POH/AFM). This AD results from the FAA's analysis and determination that the operational history and usage of the affected airplanes requires a reduction in the structural life limit to 4,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) for the airframe (wing, fuselage, empennage, and associated structure). We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the airframe (wing, fuselage, empennage, or associated structure) based on the operational history and usage of the affected airplanes. Such failure could lead to loss of control.
To address this problem, you must do the following:
| Actions | Compliance | Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Insert the Raytheon Model 58P/58PA and Model 58TC/58TCA POH/AFM Supplement, part number (P/N) 102-590000-67, issued January 2005, into the Limitations Section of pilot's operating handbook (POH)/airplane flight manual (AFM) (P/N 102-590000-41 or 106-590000-5). The POH/AFM Supplement limits the structural fatigue life of the airframe (wing, fuselage, empennage, and associated structure) to 4,500 hours TIS | Upon the accumulation of 4,500 hours TIS on the airframe (wing, fuselage, empennage, or associated structure) or before further flight after November 15, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, unless already done | Any person holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may modify the POH/AFM as specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. Make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with this portion of the AD following section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). |
| (2) Do not operate any Models 58P and 58TC airplanes (with any serial number noted in paragraph (c) of this AD) upon the accumulation of 4,500 hours TIS on the airframe (wing, fuselage, empennage, or associated structure) or before further flight, whichever occurs later | As of November 15, 2007 (the effective date of this AD) | Not Applicable. |
Note 1: 14 CFR 43.10 requires anyone who removes a life-limited part from an airplane to ensure that the part is controlled using one of the methods in paragraph (c) of the regulation. This includes a recordkeeping system, tag or record attached to part, non-permanent marking, permanent marking, segregation, mutilation, or other methods. This AD establishes the structural life limit of the affected airplanes. Anyone removing the life-limited airframe (wing, fuselage, empennage, and associated structure) from one of the affected airplanes is obligated by 14 CFR 43.10 to control the part once it is removed.
Note 2: Although aircraft used in public operations are generally exempt from compliance with the Federal Aviation Regulations, the safety implications of the structural fatigue life (4,500 hours TIS) of the airframe are serious. Therefore, we strongly recommend operators of public-use-only aircraft comply with the structural fatigue life (4,500 hours TIS) of the airframe.
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.
