Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16577 · Flight compartment windows
M7 Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated) Models SA26-AT, SA26-T, SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT Airplanes
This AD applies to M7 Aerospace LP (type certificate previously held by Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated) Models SA26-AT, SA26-T, SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the cockpit heated windshields for damage and replacing damaged windshields. This AD was prompted by reports from the windshield manufacturer of inner glass ply fracture. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage to the cockpit heated windshield, which could result in failure of the windshield with consequent rapid cabin decompression and loss of control of the airplane.
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
Within the next 21 days after January 24, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the cockpit heated windshields, part numbers 26-21126 and 27-19442, as applicable, for damage, e.g., delamination, glass shear, and interlayer cracking. Do the inspection following M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001, 226-56-011, 227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010, as applicable.
(h) At the compliance times specified in table 1 of this AD, repetitively inspect the cockpit heated windshield for damage, e.g., delamination, glass shear, and interlayer cracking. Do the inspections following M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001, 226-56-011, 227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010, as applicable.
| Category | If the installed cockpit heated windshield (new or repaired) has the following hours time-in-service (TIS) | Then repetitively inspect at intervals not-to-exceed |
|---|---|---|
| A | Less than 1,100 | Every 150 hours TIS until the windshield accumulates 1,100 hours TIS, at which time inspect according to Category B. |
| B | 1,100 to 5,000 | Every 100 hours TIS until the windshield accumulates 5,001 hours TIS, at which time inspect according to Category C. |
| C | More than 5,000 | Every 50 hours TIS. |
(i) Before further flight after each inspection required in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD in which damage is found in the critical and semi-critical inspection areas, replace or repair the windshield as specified in M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001, 226-56-011, 227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010, as applicable.
(j) Within 30 days after each inspection required in paragraph (g) and (h) of this AD in which damage is found, report the results of the inspection to the FAA. Use the form (figure 1 of this AD) and submit it to the address specified in paragraph (n) of this AD.
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.
