Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15751 · Standard practices/structures
Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P68 Series Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2014-10-01. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Models P 68, P 68B, P 68C, P 68C-TC, P 68 “OBSERVER,” AP68TP300 “SPARTACUS,” P68TC “OBSERVER,” AP68TP 600 “VIATOR,” and P68 “OBSERVER 2” 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, do the following actions:
(1) For serial numbers 01 through 356, determine the safe fatigue limit of the wing structure following Vulcanair S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 120 Rev. 1, dated June 7, 2006, within 8,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) since new or within 500 hours TIS after January 2, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later.
(2) For serial numbers 01 through 356, inspect the wing structure and the wing to fuselage attachments following Vulcanair S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 120 Rev. 1, dated June 7, 2006, within the safe fatigue limit determined in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD or within 500 hours TIS after January 2, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter inspect at intervals not to exceed every 500 hours TIS.
(3) For serial numbers 357 and above, inspect the wing structure and the wing to fuselage attachments following Vulcanair S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 120 Rev. 1, dated June 7, 2006, within 17,500 hours TIS since new or within 500 hours TIS after January 2, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter inspect at intervals not to exceed every 500 hours TIS.
(4) For all serial numbers, inspect the stabilator following Vulcanair S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 120 Rev. 1, dated June 7, 2006, within 8,500 hours TIS since new or within 500 hours TIS after January 2, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Repetitively thereafter inspect at intervals not to exceed every 500 hours TIS.
(5) If as a result of any inspection required by paragraphs (f)(2), (f)(3), or (f)(4) of this AD you find any discrepancies (for example, cracked or broken parts), do one of the following actions before further flight:
(i) Repair the airplane following FAA-approved repair instructions obtained from Vulcanair S.p.A.; or
(ii) Repair the airplane following a repair method approved by the FAA for this AD. Contact the FAA at the address in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD for an FAA-approved method.
Note 1: For certain Model P 68 airplanes, AD 85-08-04 requires repetitive inspections of the front and rear wing spars for cracks with modification if cracks are found. The modification terminates the repetitive inspections required in AD 85-08-04 and may be done regardless if cracks are found. The actions of AD 85-08-08 are independent of this AD action and remain in effect.
Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) The MCAI is extending the safe fatigue limits of the wing structure and the wing to fuselage attachments of certain airplanes. Airplanes registered in the United States did not have safe fatigue limits established for the wing structure and the wing to fuselage attachments. This AD is establishing safe fatigue limits for the wing structure and the wing to fuselage attachments. This AD is also establishing safe fatigue limits for the stabilator. (2) The MCAI requires implementation of safe fatigue limits into the airplane maintenance program (maintenance program). An airplane registered in the United States and operated under 14 CFR part 91 is required to have a maintenance program, but not necessarily following the airplane maintenance manual. This AD requires you to do specific actions of Vulcanair S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 120 Rev. 1, dated June 7, 2006, rather than incorporating those actions into the maintenance program.
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
