Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22324 · Fuselage main, structure
Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Airplanes
This AD applies to Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 210N, 210R, P210N, P210R, T210N, T210R, 177, 177A, 177B, 177RG, and F177RG airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Textron Aviation Inc. (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) (Textron) Model 210N, 210R, P210N, P210R, T210N, T210R, 177, 177A, 177B, 177RG, and F177RG airplanes. This AD was prompted by the in-flight break-up of a Model T210M airplane in Australia, due to fatigue cracking that initiated at a corrosion pit, and subsequent corrosion reports on other Model 210- and 177-series airplanes. This AD requires visual and eddy current inspections of the carry-thru spar lower cap for corrosion, cracking, and damage; corrective action if necessary; application of a protective coating and corrosion inhibiting compound (CIC); and reporting the inspection results to the FAA. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Within 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD or within 12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, prepare the carry-thru spar lower cap for inspection by following steps 4 and 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Textron Aviation Mandatory Single Engine Service Letter, SEL-57-08, Revision 2, dated August 3, 2020 (Textron SEL-57-08R2); or Textron Aviation Mandatory Single Engine Service Letter, SEL-57-09, Revision 1, dated August 3, 2020 (Textron SEL-57-09R1), as applicable to your airplane model. Visually inspect the carry-thru spar lower cap (including the lower surface, upper surface, and edge) with a 10X magnification lens looking for corrosion, cracking, and damage. You are not required to inspect the lower cap to web radius, spar web, upper cap, or lugs. Refer to the `Spar Dimensions' and the `Spar Detail' figures on page 7 of Textron SEL-57-08R2 or Textron SEL-57-09R1, as applicable to your airplane model, for the location of the specific spar features.
(1) If there is any cracking, before further flight, remove the carry-thru spar from service.
(2) If there is damage or evidence of previous removal of corrosion (blending), before further flight, either remove the carry-thru spar from service or repair the area using a method approved as specified in paragraph (n) of this AD. Comply with the requirements in paragraph (h) of this AD before further flight.
(3) If there is any corrosion, before further flight, remove the corrosion in the affected area by following steps 6.B.(1) through (7) of the Accomplishment Instructions in Textron SEL-57-08R2 or Textron SEL-57-09R1, as applicable to your airplane model, and then mechanically measure the depth of the blended area using a straight edge and feeler gauge or a depth gauge micrometer.
(i) If the material removed in the blended area exceeds the allowable blend limits specified in table 1 (including the notes) of Textron SEL-57-08R2 or Textron SEL-57-09R1, as applicable to your airplane model, before further flight, either remove the carry-thru spar from service or repair the area using a method approved as specified in paragraph (n) of this AD. Comply with the requirements in paragraph (h) of this AD before further flight.
(ii) If the material removed in the blended area does not exceed the allowable blend limits specified in table 1 (including the notes) of Textron SEL-57-08R2 or Textron SEL-57-09R1, as applicable to your airplane model, comply with the requirements in paragraph (h) of this AD before further flight.
(4) If the visual inspection did not detect corrosion, cracking, or damage and there is no evidence of previous removal of corrosion, comply with the requirements in paragraph (h) of this AD within 200 hours TIS after the effective date of the AD or within 12 calendar months after the effective date of the AD, whichever occurs first.
(1) At the applicable compliance time required by paragraph (g) of this AD, complete an eddy current inspection of the carry-thru spar lower cap for cracking, corrosion, and damage in the following areas in accordance with step 7 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Textron SEL-57-08R2 or Textron SEL-57-09R1, as applicable to your airplane model.
(i) The kick area as depicted in the `Spar Dimensions' figure on page 7 of Textron SEL-57-08R2 or Textron SEL-57-09R1, as applicable to your airplane. You must complete an eddy current inspection of the lower cap kick area of your airplane regardless of whether corrosion was found and removed as a result of the visual inspection in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(ii) All areas where corrosion was found and removed as a result of the inspection in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) If there is any cracking, before further flight, remove the carry-thru spar from service.
(3) If there is any damage, before further flight, either remove the carry-thru spar from service or repair the area using a method approved as specified in paragraph (n) of this AD. After completing the repair, repeat the eddy current inspection of the repaired area before further flight.
(4) If there is any corrosion, before further flight, remove the corrosion by following the requirements in paragraph (g)(3) of this AD. You must repeat the eddy current inspection and comply with paragraph (h) of this AD for the area where the additional material was removed, but you do not have to repeat the eddy current inspection of the kick area.
Within 12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, apply protective coating and corrosion inhibiting compound (CIC) by following steps 9 and 10 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Textron SEL-57-08R2 or Textron SEL-57-09R1, as applicable to your airplane model.
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any airplane a carry-thru spar unless it has been inspected as required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD and corrosion protection applied as required by paragraph (i) of this AD.
Within 30 days after completing the inspections required by this AD or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, report to the FAA by email (Wichita-COS@faa.gov) all information requested in the Carry-Thru Spar Inspection Report Attachment to Textron SEL-57-08R2 or Textron SEL-57-09R1, as applicable to your airplane model.
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.
