Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17177 · Wing, fuselage attach fitting
M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes
This AD applies to M7 Aerospace LLC (type certificate previously held by Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated) Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), SA227-AT, and SA227-TT airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all M7 Aerospace LLC Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), SA227-AT, and SA227-TT airplanes. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the left and right forward (main) and aft spar wing-to-fuselage attach fittings for cracks and replacing any cracked fitting. This AD also requires reporting certain inspection results to the FAA. This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracking in the left and right forward (main) spar wing-to-fuselage attach fittings. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
At the initial and repetitive compliance times specified in Appendix 1 to this AD, inspect the left and right forward (main) and aft spar wing-to-fuselage attach fittings for cracks. Do the inspections following M7 Aerospace LLC SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-53-016, dated July 27, 2012, with Supplement A—SB 226-53-016, dated June 22, 2012; M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-010, dated July 27, 2012, with Supplement A—SB 227-53-010, dated June 22, 2012; and M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin CC7-53-006, dated July 27, 2012, with Supplement A—SB CC7-53-006, dated June 22, 2012, as applicable.
If cracks are found during any inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, replace both wing-to-fuselage attach fitting halves (pair) at the cracked fitting location. Do the replacement following M7 Aerospace LLC SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-53-016, dated July 27, 2012; M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-010, dated July 27, 2012; and M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin CC7-53-006, dated July 27, 2012, as applicable.
If cracks are found during any inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, within 10 days after the inspection in which cracks are found or within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, report the results of the inspections to the FAA, ASW-150 (c/o San Antonio MIDO (SW-MIDO-43)), Attn: Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; fax: (210) 308-3370; email: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov. Please identify AD 2012-18-01 in the subject line if submitted through email. Include the following information in the report:
(1) Length of crack(s) and a general description of the damage.
(2) Airplane model, serial number, aircraft total flight cycles, and total hours time-in-service (TIS).
(3) Using figure 2 in M7 Aerospace LLC SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-53-016, dated July 27, 2012; M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-010, dated July 27, 2012; and M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin CC7-53-006, dated July 27, 2012, as applicable, indicate location of damage, show forward orientation using arrows, and orientation of crack.
(4) Whether the airplane has had, or is suspected of having, a hard landing in the past.
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
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.
