Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17856 · Stabilizers
Airplanes Originally Manufactured by Lockheed for the Military as Model P-3A and P3A Airplanes
This AD applies to all Model P-3A or P3A airplanes originally manufactured by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for the military, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category:
(1) Aero Union Corporation Model P3A airplanes; and
(2) USDA Forest Service Model P-3A airplanes.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain airplanes originally manufactured by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for the military as Model P-3A or P3A airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the existing maintenance or inspection program must be revised to address fatigue cracking of the airplane. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate certain limitations. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating airworthiness limitations specified in Avenger Aircraft and Services P3A Airworthiness Limitations Section—FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010.
For the tasks specified in Part-I, Sections B. through E., of Procedure 01-00-005, of Avenger Aircraft and Services P3A Airworthiness Limitations Section—FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010, the compliance times are specified in paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(4) of this AD. For airplanes with combined baseline and aerial dispensing usage accumulated, the total remaining life and the total remaining hours or flights until inspection is due for the principle structural element (PSE) inspection requirements is determined by combining the fatigue damage accumulated during the baseline and the aerial dispensing of liquids usage. The usage must be combined in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
(1) For the baseline life limits, the compliance time is: At the applicable “flight hours” or “flights,” whichever occurs first, specified in Part-I, Section B, “Life Limitations Baseline Usage,” of Procedure 01-00-005, of Avenger Aircraft and Services P3A Airworthiness Limitations Section—FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010; or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD; whichever occurs later.
(2) For the baseline PSE inspection requirements, the compliance time is: At the applicable “threshold interval hours” or “threshold interval flights” since new, whichever occurs first, as specified in Tables C.1, C.2, and C.3, of Part-I, Section C, “Principle Structural Element Inspection Requirements—Baseline Usage,” of Procedure 01-00-005, of Avenger Aircraft and Services P3A Airworthiness Limitations Section—FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010; or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD; whichever occurs later. Where compliance times are specified as “threshold interval hours,” those compliance times are total flight hours. Where the compliance times are specified as “threshold interval flights,” those compliance times are total flight cycles.
(3) For the aerial dispensing of liquids life limits, the compliance time is: At the applicable “flight hours” or “flights,” whichever occurs first, specified in Part-I, Section D, “Life Limitations—Aerial Dispensing of Liquids Usage” of Procedure 01-00-005, of Avenger Aircraft and Services P3A Airworthiness Limitations Section—FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010; or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD; whichever occurs later.
(4) For the aerial dispensing of liquids PSE inspection requirements, the compliance time is: At the applicable “threshold interval hours” or threshold interval flights,” whichever occurs first, as specified in Tables E.1, E.2, and E.3, of Part-I, Section E, “Principle Structural Element Inspection Requirements—Aerial Dispensing of Liquids Usage,” of Procedure 01-00-005, of Avenger Aircraft and Services P3A Airworthiness Limitations Section—FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010; or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD; whichever occurs later.
After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
