2008-17-07: Flight controls tie rod

2008-17-07 APEX Aircraft: Amendment 39-15645; Docket No. FAA-2008- 0470; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-026-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 23, 2008. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to the following Model CAP 10 B airplanes, certificated in any category: (1) Serial numbers 300 through 317; and (2) All other serial numbers that incorporate APEX change 000302 (fibre carbon wing spars). Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight Controls. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: An internal review evidenced that the flight controls tie rod bolts currently installed on the airplane are not in accordance with the design data. Indeed the bolt shank length has been determined too short and the material properties of the spacers have been found inadequate according to the prescribed torque value.Therefore, bolts' threads could be subject to excessive wear, which might induce play in flight controls and consequently, induce vibrations in the control surfaces and reduce the airplane handling. To prevent this condition, the present Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates replacement of the tie rod bolts and spacers. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Within 50 hours time-in-service after September 23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), remove tie rod bolts part number (P/N) 95.56.11.066 and spacers P/N 11.56.27.038 and replace them with tie rod bolts P/N 95.56.11.418 and spacers P/N 11.56.27.138, following APEX Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 040206, dated September 21, 2007. (2) As of September 23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), do not install any tie rod bolt P/N 95.56.11.066 or spacer P/N 11.56.27.038. 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 (EASA) AD No. 2008-0060, dated April 1, 2008; and APEX Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 040206, dated September 21, 2007, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use APEX Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 040206, dated September 21, 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 thisAD, contact Apex Aircraft, Bureau de Navigabilite, 1 route de Troyes, 21121 DAROIS, France. (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.