Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18456 · Wing attach fittings
Weatherly Aircraft Company Airplanes
This AD applies to Weatherly Aircraft Company Models 201, 201A, 201B, 201C, 620, 620A, 620B, 620B-TG, and 620TP airplanes, all serial numbers, that:
(1) have center and outer wing front spar lower hinge fittings, part number 40223 (any dash number configuration), installed; and
(2) are certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Weatherly Aircraft Company Models 201, 201A, 201B, 201C, 620, 620A, 620B, 620B-TG, and 620TP airplanes. This AD requires visually inspecting the center and outer wing front spar lower hinge fittings for cracks and corrosion and taking all necessary corrective actions. This AD also requires sending the inspection results to the FAA. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks found on the center wing front spar lower hinge fitting. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
Within the next 30 days after April 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), do a close visual inspection of the center and outer wing front spar lower hinge fittings for cracks and corrosion. Prior to the inspection do the following:
(1) Remove the left and right center wing to outer wing joint covers from the airplane.
(2) Remove the lower forward wing hinge pin bolt caps.
If any cracks are found during the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, replace the cracked wing front spar lower hinge fitting with an airworthy part.
If any corrosion is found during the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, remove up to.020 inches of the wing front spar lower hinge fitting material in any direction to repair corrosion. Replace any parts requiring removal of more than.020-inch of wing front spar lower hinge fitting. Any operator may request an alternative to the replacement requirement using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 and paragraph (m) of this AD.
Within the next 10 days after the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD or within 10 days after April 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, report the result of the inspection to the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), Attn: Mike Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 3960 Paramount Blvd. Suite 100, Lakewood, California, 90712; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: mike.s.lee@faa.gov. Include the following information. Please identify AD 2016-07-11 in the subject line if submitted through email.
(1) Airplane serial number.
(2) Hours time-in-service at time of inspection.
(3) A description of any cracks found.
(4) A description of any corrosion found.
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.
