Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15607 · Fuselage
Pacific Aerospace Limited Model FU-24 Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2010-26-02. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to FU-24 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
Unless already done, after August 21, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), do the following actions following Chapter 05, page 25 of the FU-24-950 Series Maintenance Manual:
(1) Before the first flight of each day, visually inspect the vertical stabilizer leading edge skin and fin for any cracking, corrosion, scratches, dents, creases, and/or buckling and repair as necessary. All non-transparent protective coatings and their adhesive must be removed for this inspection.
(2) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after August 21, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, perform a detailed inspection of the vertical stabilizer leading edge skin, leading edge, fin skin, and the fin forward attachment point for any cracking, corrosion, scratches, dents, creases, and/or buckling to include:
(i) Inspection of the entire leading edge down to the forward attach fitting and removal of dorsal fin extensions if installed in order to inspect the obscured areas of the fin.
(ii) Inspection of the fin skin for corrosion and cracks, paying particular attention to the center rib rivet holes and the skin joint at the fin base.
(iii) Inspection of the fin forward attachment point for corrosion, removal of the fin tip, and inspection of the top rib for cracks at the skin stiffener cutouts.
(3) If any damage is found during any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, obtain an FAA-approved repair scheme from the manufacturer and incorporate that repair.
(4) The following transparent polyurethane protective tapes have been assessed as suitable for use to re-protect the leading edge and may remain in situ for subsequent inspections, provided they are sound and in a condition to permit visual inspection of the skin beneath them:
| Manufacturer | Product |
|---|---|
| (i) 3M | 8591, or 8671, 8672 and 8681HS (aeronautical grade). |
| (ii) Scapa | Aeroshield P2604 (transparent). |
Note 1: You may apply for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) for an alternative to the transparent polyurethane protective tapes listed above.
Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) The inspections required in this AD must be performed by a person authorized under 14 CFR part 43 to perform inspections, as opposed to the MCAI, which allows the holder of a pilot license to perform the inspections. (2) The 50-hour inspection required in the MCAI goes away because the “before the first flight of each day” inspection captures the intent.
