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98-07-17 TWIN COMMANDER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-10437; Docket No. 97-CE-69-AD. Supersedes AD 94-04-17, Amendment 39-8837.
Applicability: The following airplane models (all serial numbers), certificated in any category:
500 500-A 500-B 500-S 500-U
520 560 560-A 560-E 560-F
680 680-E 680-F 680FL 680FL(P)
680FP 680T 680V 680W 681
685 690 690A 690B 690C
690D 695 695A 695B 720
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 unsafecondition 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent failure of a flap system cable caused by fatigue, which could result in loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished, perform the following in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation (Twin Commander) Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 226, dated April 14, 1997 (Revision No. 1 Release Date: July 15, 1997):
(1) Inspect all flap system cable grooves for the correct width;
(2) Inspect all flap system pulleys for rubbing on the support brackets;
(3) Inspect all flap pulley cable assemblies for frayed wires; and
(4) Mark pulleys that have been inspected and have the correct groove radius with two parallel lines as specified in the service bulletin.
NOTE 2: Revision No. 1 Release Date: July 15, 1997, of Twin Commander Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 226, specifies changes in the workhours necessary to accomplish this action and makes reference to a gauge that is available from the manufacturer for use in accomplishing the inspection.
(b) If any of the above discrepancies are found, prior to further flight after the inspections required by paragraph (a), including all subparagraphs, of this AD, rework or replace the affected part in accordance with Twin Commander Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 226, dated April 14, 1997 (Revision No. 1 Release Date: July 15, 1997).
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a pulley that does not have the criteria presented in either paragraph (c)(1), (c)(2), or (c)(3) of this AD:
(1) A pulley that has been inspected, found acceptable, and marked with two parallel lines in accordance with paragraph (a), including all subparagraphs, of this AD;
(2) A pulley that has been reworked in accordance with an FAA-approved procedure and is marked "SB 226"; or
(3) A new pulley that is marked "SB 226-NEW".
(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 compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), Northwest Mountain Region, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue S.W., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
(1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance with AD 94-04-17 (superseded by this AD) are not considered approved as alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(f) The inspections and replacements required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Twin Commander Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 226, dated April 14, 1997 (Revision No. 1 Release Date: July 15, 1997). 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 the Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation, 19003 59th Drive, NE, Arlington, Washington 98223-7832. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 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 supersedes AD 94-04-17, Amendment 39-8837.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on May 29, 1998.
