FAA orders · airworthiness directive · current

2003-13-07: Flight Control System Rods

FAA order 2003-13-07 is an airworthiness directive in force since August 11, 2003. The FAA's subject line: Flight Control System Rods. It names Short Bros. & Harland SC-7: about 27 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: flight controls.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Aircraft
Makes: Short Brothers PLC
Models: SC-7 Skyvan Series 2, SC-7 Skyvan Series 3
On this site: Short Bros. & Harland SC-7 27 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since: August 11, 2003
Published: June 30, 2003 (signed June 16, 2003)
Docket: 2003-CE-15-AD
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Short Brothers and Harland Ltd. (Shorts) Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect all flight control system rods for corrosion and cracks, replace any cracked rod, and repair corrosion damage or replace any corroded rod depending on the extent of the damage. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of any flight control system rod caused by cracks or corrosion. Such failure could lead to complete failure of the flight control system with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (4,269 characters)

2003-13-07 Short Brothers and Harland Ltd.: Amendment 39-13207; Docket No. 2003-CE-15-AD. 

	(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category. 

	(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 prevent failure of any flight control system rod caused by cracks or corrosion. Such failure could lead to complete failure of the flight control system with consequent 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) Inspect all flight control system rods for cracks and corrosion damage.
Initially inspect within the next 3 months after August 11, 2003 (the effective date of this AD or within 24 months after the last inspection accomplished in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin 27-74 (any revision level), whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished. Repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months.
In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue 27/ FEB/03.
(2) If corrosion is found during any inspection that does not exceed the limits specified in Shorts Service Bulletin 27-77, repair the corrosion damage on the affected flight control rod.
Prior to further flight after the inspection where the damage is found.
In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue 27/ FEB/03.
(3) If any crack is found or if corrosion damage that exceeds the limits specified in Shorts Service Bulletin 27-77 is found during any inspection required by this AD, replacethe affected flight control rod.
Prior to further flight after the inspection where the damage or cracks are found.
In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue 27/ FEB/03.
(4) Do not install any used flight control rod on any affected airplane unless it has been inspected and found to be corrosion and crack free as specified in this AD. Then repetitively inspect as required in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
As of August 11, 2003 (the effective date of this AD).
In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue 27/ FEB/03.

	(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time, use the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate. For information on any already approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090. 

	(f) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue February 27, 2003. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get copies from Short Brothers PLC, P.O. Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ Northern Ireland; telephone: +44 (0) 28 9045 8444; facsimile: +44 (0) 28 9073 3396. You may view 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. 

	Note: The United Kingdom Civil Airworthiness Authority (CAA) classified Shorts Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue 27/ FEB/03, as mandatory. The CAA classifying a service bulletin as mandatory is the equivalent for airplanes on the British registry as an AD is for airplanes on the U.S. registry. 

	(g) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on August 11, 2003.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 23, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2003-13-07.json · aircraft systems.