2016-07-11: Wing Attach Fittings

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2016-07-11 Weatherly Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-18456; Docket No. FAA-2016-5422; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-011-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective April 15, 2016. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Weatherly Aircraft Company Models 201, 201A, 201B, 201C, 620, 620A, 620B, 620B-TG, and 620TP airplanes, all serial numbers, that: (1) have center and outer wing front spar lower hinge fittings, part number 40223 (any dash number configuration), installed; and (2) are certificated inany category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wing Attach Fittings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of cracks found on the center wing front spar lower hinge fitting. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks and corrosion in the center and outer wing front spar lower hinge fitting, which could cause the fittings to fail. Failure of the wing front spar lower hinge fitting could result in the wing separating from the airplane and loss of control. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Inspection Within the next 30 days after April 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), do a close visual inspection of the center and outer wing front spar lower hinge fittings for cracks and corrosion. Prior to the inspection do the following: (1) Remove the left and right center wing to outer wing joint covers from the airplane. (2) Remove the lower forward wing hinge pin bolt caps. (h) Replacement If any cracks are found during the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, replace the cracked wing front spar lower hinge fitting with an airworthy part. (i) Repair If any corrosion is found during the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, remove up to .020 inches of the wing front spar lower hinge fitting material in any direction to repair corrosion. Replace any parts requiring removal of more than .020-inch of wing front spar lower hinge fitting. Any operator may request an alternative to the replacement requirement using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 and paragraph (m) of this AD. (j) Reporting Requirement Within the next 10 days after the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD or within 10 days after April 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, report the result of the inspection to the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), Attn: Mike Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 3960 Paramount Blvd. Suite 100, Lakewood, California, 90712; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: mike.s.lee@faa.gov. Include the following information. Please [[Page 18464]] identify AD 2016-07-11 in the subject line if submitted through email. (1) Airplane serial number. (2) Hours time-in-service at time of inspection. (3) A description of any cracks found. (4) A description of any corrosion found. (k) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits are allowed for this AD per 14 CFR 39.23 for the requirement to remove up to .020 inches of corrosion as required in paragraph (i) of this AD. Special flight permits are prohibited for all other requirements of this AD. (l) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200. (m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Inaccordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (n) of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (n) Related Information For information on the subject matter of this AD, contact either: (1) Weatherly Aircraft Company at phone: (316) 361-0101; email: weatherlyaircraft@cox.net; or (2) Mike Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd. Suite 100, Lakewood, California, 90712; phone: (562) 627-5325; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: mike.s.lee@faa.gov.