2006-23-05: Inboard- hinge brackets

2006-23-05 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-14817. Docket No. FAA-2006-26242; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-229-AD. Effective Date (a) This AD becomes effective November 22, 2006. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to all Cessna Model 750 airplanes, certificated in any category. Unsafe Condition (d) This AD results from a report of cracking found on the elevator inboard-hinge brackets. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the elevator inboard-hinge brackets, which could result in structural failure of the elevator and consequent loss of control of the airplane. Compliance (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Inspection (f) After the airplane accumulates 2,500 total flight hours: Perform a general visual inspection for cracking of the inboard- hinge brackets of theleft and right elevators in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL750-27-21, dated October 13, 2006. Do the inspection before the airplane accumulates 3,000 total flight hours, or within 10 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later. Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: "A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked." Related Investigative and Corrective Actions (g) If any crack is found during the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Before further flight, perform an eddy current inspection of the inboard-hinge brackets to determine the crack length, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL750-27-21, dated October 13, 2006; and do the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable, at the time specified. All corrective actions must be done using a method approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a replacement method to be approved by the Manager, Wichita ACO, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD. (1) If the crack is 0.30 inch or more: Replace the bracket before further flight. (2) If the crack is less than 0.30 inch: Continued flight for a maximum of 10 flight hours for repositioning of the airplane and replacement of the bracket is allowed, within the restricted flight envelope included in the attachment to the service letter titled "Flight Restrictions." Special Flight Permits (h) Special flight permits, as described in Section 39.23 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.23), are allowed with the limitations required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. No Reporting or Return of Parts to Manufacturer (i) Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL750-27-21, dated October 13, 2006, specifies submitting a sheet related to inspection results to the manufacturer; this AD does not include that requirement. The service letter also specifies sending the elevator assembly to the manufacturer for replacement of the inboard-hinge bracket if a crack is found that is 0.30 inch or more; however, this AD requires corrective actions be done using a method approved by us. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (j)(1) The Manager, Wichita ACO, has the authority to approve AMOCs forthis AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL750-27-21, excluding the attachment titled "Inspection Results Form" and including the attachment titled "Flight Restrictions," dated October 13, 2006, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Cessna Aircraft Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .