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96-12-03 AVIAT AIRCRAFT, INC.: Amendment 39-9645; Docket No. 96-CE-23-AD.
Applicability: Models S-1S, S-1T, S-2, S-2A, S-2S, and S-2B airplanes (formerly known as Pitts Models S-1S, S-1T, S-2, S-2A, S-2S, and S-2B airplanes), all serial numbers, certificated in any category, that are equipped with aft lower fuselage wing attach fittings incorporating part number (P/N) 76090, 2-2107-1, or 1-210-102, and where these aft lower fuselage wing attach fittings on both wings have not been modified in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Aviat Service Bulletin (SB) No. 25, dated April 3, 1996.
NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required initially within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS.
To prevent possible in-flight separation of the wing from the airplane caused by a cracked aft lower fuselage wing attach fitting, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the aft lower fuselage wing attach fitting on both wings for cracks in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Aviat Service Bulletin (SB) No. 25, dated April 3, 1996.
(b) If any cracked aft lower fuselage wing attach fitting isfound during any inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight, modify the cracked aft lower fuselage wing attach fitting in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Aviat SB No. 25, dated April 3, 1996. Repetitive inspections are no longer necessary on a cracked aft lower fuselage wing attachment fitting that has the referenced modification incorporated.
(c) Modifying the aft lower fuselage wing attach fitting on both wings in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Aviat SB No. 25, dated April 3, 1996, is considered terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Denver Aircraft Certification Office, 5440 Roslyn Street, suite 133, Denver, Colorado 80216. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Denver ACO.
NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Denver ACO.
(f) The inspection and modification (if necessary) required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Aviat Service Bulletin No. 25, dated April 3, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Aviat Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 1240 (postal service delivery), 672 South Washington Street (express mail), Afton, Wyoming 83110. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on June 24, 1996.
