Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18272 · Flight controls
M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes
This AD applies to M7 Aerospace LLC 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), SA227-TT, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-02-02 for certain 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. AD 97-02-02 required applying torque to the control column pitch bearing attaching nuts, inspecting the bearing assembly, inspecting the elevator control rod end bearing retainer/dust seals, and replacing or installing new parts as necessary. This new AD requires inspecting for movement and correct torque of the elevator control pivot bearing, inspecting the elevator control rod for damage and correct configuration, and replacing parts as necessary. This AD also requires a 10,000-hour time-in-service (TIS) repetitive replacement of the control column pivot bearing and elevator control rod bolt and requires replacement of the control column pivot bearing with the improved design by 35,000 hours TIS. This AD was prompted by loss of elevator control due to failure of the bolt attaching the elevator control rod to the elevator walking beam under the cockpit floor. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
This AD allows credit for the control column pivot bearing torque check and initial replacement required in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD and the elevator rod bolt inspection and initial replacement required in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(3)(i) of this AD, if done before November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), following the procedures specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD:
(1) M7 Aerospace SA227 Commuter Category Service Bulletin No. CC7-27-010, original issue or revision 1.
(2) M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. 227-27-041, original issue or revision 1.
(3) M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. 226-27-060, original issue or revision 1.
(4) M7 Aerospace SA26 Series Service Bulletin No. 26-27-30-046, original issue or revision 1.
(1) On or before the airplane accumulates a total of 35,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within the next 1,000 hours TIS after November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, you must revise (modify) the control column pivot bearing configuration with the improved design. Use the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(iv) of this AD. Revising (modifying) the configuration of the control column pivot bearing with the improved design terminates the actions for paragraph (i) of this AD, including all subparagraphs, but you must still complete the required actions in paragraph (j) of this AD, including all subparagraphs.
(i) Fairchild Aircraft SA26 Series Service Bulletin No. 26-27-30-047, dated June 16, 1997;
(ii) Fairchild Aircraft SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. 226-27-061, dated June 16, 1997;
(iii) Fairchild Aircraft SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. 227-27-042, dated June 16, 1997; or
(iv) Fairchild Aircraft SA227 Series Commuter Category No. CC7-27-011, dated June 16, 1997.
(2) You may at any time before 35,000 hours TIS revise (modify) the control column pivot bearing configuration with the improved design to terminate the repetitive replacement of the original control column pivot bearing using the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(iv) of this AD. This action terminates the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD, including all subparagraphs, but you must still complete the required actions in paragraph (j) of this AD, including all subparagraphs.
(1) Use the service information, as applicable, listed in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD to do a control column pivot bearing torque check or replacement at the applicable compliance times in paragraph (i)(2) or (i)(3) of this AD, including all subparagraphs:
(i) M7 Aerospace LLC SA26 Series Service Bulletin No. 26-27-30-046 R2, dated December 5, 2014;
(ii) M7 Aerospace LLC SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. 226-27-060 R2, dated December 5, 2014;
(iii) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. 227-27-041 R2, dated December 5, 2014; or
(iv) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category Service Bulletin No. CC7-27-010 R2, December 5, 2014.
(2) For airplanes where the control column pivot bearing has been torque checked or replaced within the last 10,000 hours TIS before November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD) using the applicable service information listed in paragraph (g)(1) through (g)(4) or (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD, do one of the following actions:
(i) Within the next 10,000 hours TIS after the last control column pivot bearing replacement or within the next 1,000 hours TIS after November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, and repetitively thereafter every 10,000 hours TIS, replace the control column pivot bearing following paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD; or
(ii) Within the next 10,000 hours TIS after the last control column pivot bearing replacement or within the next 1,000 hours TIS after November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, revise (modify) the control column pivot bearing configuration with the improved design using the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(iv) of this AD. Revising (modifying) the configuration of the control column pivot bearing with the improved design terminates the repetitive replacement of the original control column pivot bearing. No other actions are required for paragraph (i) of this AD, including all subparagraphs, but you must still complete the actions in paragraph (j) of this AD, including all subparagraphs.
(3) For airplanes where the control column pivot bearing has not been torque checked or replaced within the last 10,000 hours TIS before November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD) using the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) or (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD, within the next 200 hours TIS after November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), torque check the control column pivot bearing following paragraph 2.A. of the service information listed in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD.
(4) If nut movement occurs during the torque check required in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD, do one of the following actions:
(i) Before further flight and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 10,000 hours TIS, replace the control column pivot bearing following paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD; or
(ii) Before further flight, revise (modify) the control column pivot bearing configuration with the improved design using the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(iv) of this AD. Revising (modifying) the configuration of the control column pivot bearing with the improved design terminates the repetitive replacement of the original control column pivot bearing. No other actions are required for paragraph (i) of this AD, including all subparagraphs, but you must still complete the actions in paragraph (j) of this AD, including all subparagraphs.
(5) If no nut movement occurs during the torque check required in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD, do one of the following actions:
(i) Within the next 1,000 hours TIS after November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), replace the control column pivot bearing following paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD; or
(ii) Within the next 1,000 hours TIS after November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), revise (modify) the control column pivot bearing configuration with the improved design using the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(iv) of this AD. Revising (modifying) the configuration of the control column pivot bearing with the improved design terminates the repetitive replacement of the original control column pivot bearing.
(1) Within the next 200 hours TIS after November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the elevator control rod ends and hardware for wear, creasing, or other damage and verify the elevator rod bolt and attachment hardware for correct configuration following paragraph 2.D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD.
(2) If any damage is found during the inspection required in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD or the elevator rod bolt and attachment hardware does not match the correct configuration, before further flight, replace the elevator rod bolt, rod ends, and associated hardware following paragraph 2.D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD.
(3) Replace the elevator rod end bolt and associated hardware following paragraph 2.D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information listed in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(iv) of this AD at whichever of the following compliance times applies and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10,000 hours TIS:
(i) For airplanes where the elevator rod bolt has been replaced: Within the next 10,000 hours TIS after the last elevator rod bolt replacement or within the next 1,000 hours TIS after November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later; or
(ii) For airplanes where the elevator rod bolt has never been replaced: Within the next 200 hours TIS after November 3, 2015 (the effective date of this AD).
