2002-07-01: Horizontal Stabilizer Attachment Reinforcement Brackets

2002-07-01 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-12695; Docket No. 2001-CE-42-AD. (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category: Model Serial numbers P206C and TP206C P206-0420 through P206-0519 P206D and TP206D P206-0520 through P206-0603 P206E and TP206E P20600604 through P20600647, and P206-0001 U206C and TU206C U206-0915 through U206-1234 U206D and TU206D U206-1235 through U206-1444, U20601445 through U20601587 U206E and TU206E U20601588 through 20601700 U206F and TU206F U20601701 through U20602588, and U20602590 through U20603521 U206G and TU206G 676, U20602589, and U20603522 through U20607020 207 and T207 20700001 through 20700362 207A and T207A 20700363 through 20700788 210G 21058819 through 21058936 210H 21058937 through 21059061 210J 21059062 through 21059199 210K and T210K 21059200 through 21059502 210L and T210L 21059503through 21061041, and 21061043 through 21061573 210M and T210M 21061042, and 21061574 through 21062954 210N and T210N 21062955 through 21064897 P210N P21000001 through P21000834 T210G T210-0198 through T210-0307 T210H T210-0308 through T210-0392 T210J T210-0393 through T210-0454, and 21058140 (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must comply with this AD. (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and replace structurally deficient horizontal stabilizer attachment brackets. Continued use of such brackets could result in structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer with reduced or loss of control of the airplane. (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following: Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Maintenance Records Check: (i)Check the maintenance records to determine whether a horizontal stabilizer attachment reinforcement bracket, part number (P/N) 1232624-1, shipped by Cessna from February 27, 1998, through March 17, 2000, is installed. The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may perform this check . (ii) If, by checking the maintenance records, the owner/operator can positively show that a horizontal stabilizer attachment reinforcement bracket, P/N 1232624-1, shipped by Cessna from February 27, 1998, through March 17, 2000, is not installed, then the inspection requirement of paragraph (d)(2) and the replacement requirement of paragraph (d)(3) of this AD do not apply. You must make an entry into the aircraft records that shows compliance with this portion of the AD, in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9) . Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after May 13, 2002 (the effective date of this AD), unless already accomplished . No special procedures required to check the logbook. (2) Inspection: Visually inspect the right and left horizontal stabilizer attachment reinforcement brackets, part number (P/N) 1232624-1, for the existence of seam welds along both the lower inboard and outboard wall/flange . Within the next 50 hours TIS after May 13, 2002 (the effective date of this AD), unless already accomplished In accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Cessna Service Bulletin SEB00-10, dated November 6, 2000, and the applicable maintenance manual. (3) Replacement: (i) If no seam weld is found along both the lower inboard and outboard wall/flange on the right and left horizontal stabilizer attachment reinforcement bracket during the inspection required in paragraph (d)(2) of this AD, replace with a new or airworthy P/N 1232624-1 horizontal stabilizer attachment reinforcement bracket. (ii) Ifthe right and left horizontal stabilizer attachment reinforcement bracket has seam welds along both the lower inboard and outboard wall/flange, no further action is required. Accomplish any necessary replacements prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (d)(2) of this AD, unless already accomplished . In accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Cessna Service Bulletin SEB00-10, dated November 6, 2000, and the applicable maintenance manual. (4) Installation Prohibition: Do not install any P/N 1232624-1 horizontal stabilizer attachment reinforcement bracket (or FAA-approved equivalent part) unless the bracket: (i) is inspected as required in paragraph (d)(2) of this AD; and (ii) has seam welds along both the lower inboard and outboard wall/flange. As of May 13, 2002 (the effective date of this AD) . Not applicable. (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust thecompliance time if: (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and (2) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO. Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it. (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Al Phillips, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4116; facsimile: (316) 946-4407. (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD. (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SEB00-10, dated November 6, 2000. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277. You can look at copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on May 13, 2002.