2008-07-04: Control stick base cover

2008-07-04 APEX Aircraft: Amendment 39-15445; Docket No. FAA-2008- 0057; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-102-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 30, 2008. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to the following CAP 10 B airplanes that are certificated in any category: (i) serial numbers 300 through 310; and (ii) serial numbers 1 through 40 that have been retrofitted with carbon/wood wing reference 5702-0104048* (*with or without a variable letter or number at the reference end). Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: A case of loose bond (ungluing) of one mounting wooden block of the control stick base cover, found during the cover reinstallation, was reported to the Type Certificate Holder (TCH) and led to the issuance of the "recommended'' Service Bulletin (SB) No. 031004 in February 2004. Since that date, other similar occurrences have been reported. This SB in its revision 1, has therefore been reclassified "mandatory'' by the TCH. This Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates inspection of the mounting blocks of the control stick base cover for loose bonds and repair, as necessary. These actions are intended to address the identified unsafe condition so as to prevent separation of the mounting blocks from the wing spar which could result in restricted movement of the ailerons and elevators with possible partial or complete loss of controls. The MCAI requires an inspection of the four mounting wooden blocks of the control stick base cover. You are to take corrective action by repairing any loose blocks where inspection indicates necessary. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions within the next 6 months after April 30, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), following APEX Aircraft ServiceBulletin No. 031004 R1, Revision 1, dated November 12, 2007: (1) Inspect the four mounting wooden blocks of the control stick base cover for loose bonding (gluing); and (2) If any wooden block is found to be loose, take corrective action. FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD No.: 2007- 0296, dated December 7, 2007; and APEX Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) No. 031004 R1, Revision 1, dated November 12, 2007, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference(i) You must use APEX Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) No. 031004 R1, Revision 1, dated November 12, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Apex Aircraft, Bureau de Navigabilit[eacute], 1, route de Troyes, 21121 DAROIS--France; telephone: +33 380 35 65 10; fax +33 380 35 65 15; e-mail: airworthiness@apex-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.apex- aircraft.com. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal- register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.