22 Airworthiness Directives: 11 airplane, 3 rotorcraft, 6 engine, 1 glider, 1 various.
AD 2011-27-05 · published Jan 3, 2012, effective Feb 7, 2012
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Airplanes
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. That AD currently requires an inspection of the main landing gear (MLG) separation bolt harness for broken wires and corroded connectors, and corrective actions if necessary; and for certain airplanes, a modification of the MLG separation bolt's electrical harness. This new AD requires replacement of the separation bolt harness. This AD was prompted by reports of broken wires and corroded connectors in the SAAB 340 MLG emergency release system. We are issuing this AD to prevent improper release of the MLG during an emergency situation, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane during landing and injury to the occupants.
AD 2011-27-06 · published Jan 3, 2012, effective Feb 7, 2012
Dassault Aviation Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes equipped with certain ram air turbine (RAT) transformer rectifier units (TRUs). This AD was prompted by a report of incorrect design of the TRU part of the RAT system. This AD requires replacing any affected RAT TRU with a modified RAT TRU. We are issuing this AD to prevent loose internal wiring in the RAT generator, which could result in degraded direct current power to essential airplane systems while the RAT is deployed, which could adversely affect continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.
AD 2011-27-03 · published Jan 6, 2012, effective Feb 10, 2012
The Boeing Company Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model 737 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of extensive corrosion of a ballscrew used in the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA). This AD requires repetitive inspections, lubrications, and repetitive overhauls of the ball nut and ballscrew and attachment (Gimbal) fittings for the trim actuator of the horizontal stabilizer; various modification(s); and corrective actions if necessary; as applicable. We are issuing this AD to prevent an undetected failure of the primary load path for the ballscrew in the drive mechanism of the HSTA and subsequent wear and failure of the secondary load path, which could lead to loss of control of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
AD 2011-27-09 · published Jan 11, 2012, effective Feb 15, 2012
Socata Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Socata Model TBM 700 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as installation of the wrong (switched) aileron control cables in the wing. This unsafe condition could lead to restricted movement of the aileron, resulting in reduced control of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
AD 2011-25-05 · published Jan 18, 2012, effective Feb 22, 2012
The Boeing Company Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. This AD requires installing new panel assemblies in the main equipment center or on the forward cargo compartment sidewall and removing certain relays from some panels in the main equipment center. This AD also requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) No. 28-AWL-27 and No. 28-AWL-28. This AD also includes an alternative location for the installation of the new panel assemblies for airplanes that have the optional water system drain plumbing and changing the interconnecting wiring between the P141 panel and the P36 and P37 panels. For airplanes with a deactivated center fuel tank, this AD also requires an alternative functional test for the left and right override/jettison pumps. We are issuing this AD to prevent possible sources of ignition in a fuel tank caused by electrical fault or uncommanded dry operation of the main tank boost pumps and center auxiliary tank override and jettison pumps. This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. An ignition source in the fuel tank could result in a fire or an explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
AD 2011-27-51 · published Jan 18, 2012, effective Jan 18, 2012
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the elevator bob-weight and attaching linkage for correct installation and for damage or deformation to the weight and/or weight bracket with corrective action as necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of the elevator bob-weight (stabilizer weight) traveling past its stop bolt, which allowed the attaching linkage to move over-center, resulting in reduced nose down elevator control, which could result in loss of control of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct conditions that could result in reduced nose down elevator control and loss of control of the airplane.
AD 2012-01-06 · published Jan 25, 2012, effective Feb 29, 2012
The Boeing Company Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 767-200 and 767-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of water accumulation in the forward lower lobe of the forward cargo compartment. This AD requires installing cargo bulkhead supports, ceiling supports, a secondary dam support, drainage tubing, and ceiling panels to the forward lower lobe in the forward cargo compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent water from accumulating in the forward lower lobe of the forward cargo compartment and entering the adjacent electronic equipment bay, which could result in an electrical short and the potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.
AD 2012-01-08 · published Jan 25, 2012, effective Feb 29, 2012
328 Support Services GmbH Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 328 Support Services GmbH (Type Certificate previously held by AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer safety analyses review on flight control which resulted in recommendations for reduced repetitive inspection intervals for the flight controls certification maintenance requirements (CMR) of the tab-to-actuator linkage. This AD requires revising the airplane maintenance program by incorporating certain CMR tasks. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of these components or their constituent parts which could lead to reduced control of the airplane.
AD 2012-01-09 · published Jan 25, 2012, effective Feb 29, 2012
The Boeing Company Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes with off-wing escape slide systems installed. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight loss of the off-wing escape slide. This AD requires modifying the door latch fittings and witness mark placards of the off-wing escape slide systems; and for certain airplanes, replacing the bearings and lockbase retainer in the door latch assembly, relocating and adjusting the sensor target and the sensor proximity switch, and testing to ensure positive door locking and corrective action if necessary. For certain airplanes, this AD would also require installing a bumper assembly and placards. We are issuing this AD to prevent the in-flight loss of the off-wing escape slide, which could result in the unavailability of the escape slide during an emergency evacuation. Additionally, the departed slide could cause damage to the fuselage, wing, flaps, or stabilizer, which could degrade flight control.
AD 2012-01-11 · published Jan 25, 2012, effective Feb 29, 2012
Cirrus Design Corporation Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus) Model SR22T airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of partial loss of engine power due to a dislodged rubber gasket/seal being ingested into the turbocharger. This AD requires inspection and modification of the air box flange welds and slots and installation of induction system air box seals as applicable. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
AD 2012-02-12 · published Jan 31, 2012, effective Feb 15, 2012
Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of a certain alternating current (AC) power wire bundle for damage, and repair if necessary. Additionally, this AD requires segregating the wire bundle into two wire bundles and installing Teflon tubing. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of the loss of certain AC systems caused by a burnt AC power wire bundle. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of ice protection systems for the angle of attack vanes, pitot probes, engine inlets, and windshields, and consequent loss of or misleading airspeed indication and increased workload for the flight crew, which could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
AD 2011-26-10 · published Jan 6, 2012, effective Jan 23, 2012
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation Helicopters
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Enstrom Helicopter Corporation (Enstrom) Model F-28C, F-28C-2, F-28F, 280C, 280F, 280FX TH-28, 480, and 480B helicopters with certain trim relays to require modifying and testing the lateral and longitudinal cyclic trim actuator assemblies. This AD was prompted by four failures in the cyclic trim system on certain Enstrom model helicopters that resulted in reduced controllability of the helicopter. These actions are intended to prevent failure of the cyclic trim system and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
AD 2011-18-12 · published Jan 24, 2012, effective Feb 8, 2012
Eurocopter France (ECF) Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, and D; and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N Helicopters
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified ECF model helicopters. This AD results from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI AD states that some cracks have been discovered in the spar of the upper fin on Model AS355N helicopters. Due to the fin design similarity between AS350 and AS355 helicopters, this AD action applies to both helicopter models. Modifying the upper and lower fin attachment is intended to prevent failure of a spar, loss of a fin, a separated fin hitting a rotor, and subsequent loss of control of a helicopter.
AD 2011-27-08 · published Jan 24, 2012, effective Feb 8, 2012
Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) model A109S and AW109SP helicopters. This AD is prompted by a fatigue crack found in the left elevator assembly along the riveting of the upper skin to the fourth rib on an Agusta A109S helicopter. These actions are intended to detect a crack, which could lead to a failure of the elevator, reduced maneuverability of the helicopter, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
AD 2011-18-21 · published Jan 9, 2012, effective Feb 13, 2012
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 Series Turbofan Engines
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections of the head section and meterpanel assembly of the combustion liner, and replacement if necessary. This new AD requires those same inspections, and replacement. This AD also expands the applicability to include part numbers (P/N) of additional combustion liners. This AD was prompted by an inquiry submitted by an operator, which resulted in RR performing a complete review of the affected front combustion liner part numbers. We are issuing this AD to prevent deterioration of the engine combustion liner, which can result in combustion liner breakup, case burn-through, engine fire, and damage to the airplane.
AD 2012-01-07 · published Jan 23, 2012, effective Feb 27, 2012
BRP-POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG Rotax Reciprocating Engines
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for BRP-- POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG Rotax 914 F2, 914 F3, and 914 F4 reciprocating engines. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as isolated manufacturing deviations reportedly found on the threads of a certain batch of fuel pressure regulators, part number (P/N) 887130, installed on Rotax 914 F series engines, which could result in fuel leakage during engine operation. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks, which could result in an in-flight fire and damage to the aircraft.
AD 2012-01-10 · published Jan 23, 2012, effective Feb 27, 2012
General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF34-10E series turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a report of heavy wear found on the seating surface of the center vent duct (CVD) (commonly referred to as center vent tube) support ring and on the inside diameter of the fan drive shaft at the mating location. This AD requires removing from service all CVD support assemblies and any fan drive shaft on the affected engines if wear is found on either the CVD support ring or the fan drive shaft. We are issuing this AD to prevent fan drive shaft failure, leading to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
AD 2012-02-05 · published Jan 27, 2012, effective Mar 2, 2012
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Reciprocating Engines
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines. This AD was prompted by in-flight engine shutdown incidents reported on airplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent in- flight engine shutdown, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
AD 2012-02-07 · published Jan 31, 2012, effective Mar 6, 2012
General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
We are superseding two existing airworthiness directives (ADs) for General Electric Company (GE) CF6-45 and CF6-50 series turbofan engines with certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) rotor stage 3 disks installed. The existing ADs currently require inspections of high- pressure turbine (HPT) and LPT rotors, engine checks, and vibration surveys. This new AD retains the requirements of the two ADs being superseded, adds an optional LPT rotor stage 3 disk removal after a failed HPT blade borescope inspection (BSI) or a failed engine core vibration survey, establishes a new lower life limit for the affected LPT rotor stage 3 disks, and requires removing these disks from service at times determined by a drawdown plan. This AD was prompted by the determination that a new lower life limit for the LPT rotor stage 3 disks is necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent critical life- limited rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
AD 2012-02-11 · published Jan 31, 2012, effective Mar 6, 2012
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535 Series Turbofan Engine
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all RR RB211-535E4-37, -535E4-B-37, -535E4-B-75, and -535E4-C-37 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires performing initial and repetitive visual and fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) of the low-pressure (LP) turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 discs to detect cracks in the discs. This new AD continues to require those inspections and changes the definition of a shop visit to be less restrictive. This AD was prompted by our finding that the definition of shop visit in the existing AD was too restrictive. We are issuing this AD to revise the definition of shop visit and to detect cracks in the LP turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 discs, which could result in an uncontained release of LP turbine blades and damage to the airplane.
AD 2012-01-02 · published Jan 11, 2012, effective Feb 15, 2012
Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Discus 2cT gliders. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as small cracks which have been found on engine pylons in the area of the lower engine support that have not been detected during the standard daily inspection. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to an engine pylon failure resulting in loss of control of the glider. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
AD 2012-01-01 · published Jan 11, 2012, effective Jan 26, 2012
Various Aircraft Equipped With Rotax Aircraft Engines 912 A Series Engine
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various aircraft equipped with Rotax Aircraft Engines 912 A series engine. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a deviation in the manufacturing process of certain part number 888164 crankshafts that may cause cracks on the surface of the crankshaft on the power take off side, which could lead to failure of the crankshaft support bearing and possibly result in an in-flight engine shutdown and forced landing. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.