2017-07-10: Wings

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): 2017-07-10 American Champion Aircraft Corp.: Amendment 39-18849; Docket No. FAA-2017-0283; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-009-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective April 12, 2017. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to the following American Champion Aircraft Corp. Model 8KCAB airplanes that are certificated in any category: (i) Serial numbers 1116-2012 through 1120-2012, and 1122-2012 and up; and (ii) any Model 8KCAB airplane equipped with part number 4-2142 exposed balance ailerons. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked hinge support and cracked hinge ribs, which resulted in partial loss of control with the aileron binding against the cove. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the aileron support structure, which may lead to excessive deflection, binding of the control surface, and potential loss of control. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Restrict Airplane Operation As of April 12, 2017 (the effective date of this AD), the airplane is restricted to non-aerobatic flight until the actions required in paragraphs (h)(1) through (3) of this AD are done, as applicable. This restriction is done as follows: (1) Before further flight after April 12, 2017 (the effective date of this AD), fabricate a placard using at least\1/8\ inch letters with the words ``AEROBATIC FLIGHT PROHIBITED'' on it and install the placard on the instrument panel within the pilot's clear view. (2) This action may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (h) Inspection (1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after April 12, 2017 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the aileron hinge rib and support following American Champion Aircraft Corporation Service Letter (SL) 442, dated February 16, 2017. (2) If no cracks are found, during the inspection required in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, the placard prohibiting aerobatic flight required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD can be removed. (3) If cracks are found during the inspection required in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, no further flight is permitted until an FAA-approved repair for this AD has been accomplished. There is currently no fix for airplanes with cracks in this area so such airplanes could not be operated until a repair that was FAA-approved specifically for the AD is incorporated. (4) Within 10 days after the inspection required in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD or within 10 days after April 12, 2017 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, report the inspection results to the FAA at the Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO). Submit the report to the FAA using the contact information found in paragraph (j) of this AD. Include in the report the following information: (i) Hours TIS on the airplane since the affected part was installed, (ii) crack length, and (iii) location for all cracks found. (i) 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 [[Page 17545]] burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance 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 (j) 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. (k) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Wess Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Chicago ACO, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-8113; fax: (847) 294-7834; email: wess.rouse@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) American Champion Aircraft Corp. Service Letter 442, dated February 16, 2017. (ii) Reserved. (3) For American Champion Aircraft Corp. service information identified in this AD, contact American Champion Aircraft Corp., P.O. Box 37, 32032 Washington Ave., Rochester, Wisconsin 53167; telephone: (262) 534-6315; fax: (262) 534-2395; email: aca-engineering@tds.net; Internet: http://www.americanchampionaircraft.com/service-letters.html. (4) You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information onthe availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.