AD 91-15-23 ACTIVE

91-15-23 AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-7088. Docket No. 91-NM-29-AD.

Applicability: Model Nord 262A series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent reduced structural integrity of the fuselage, accomplish the following:

A. For airplanes which are 20 years old or more since new as of the effective date of this AD: Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, perform internal and external detailed visual inspections and a low frequency eddy current inspection of the fuselage skin panel junctions, in accordance with Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-34, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991.

B. For airplanes which are less than 20 years old since new as of the effective date of this AD: Within 4 years after the effective date of this AD, perform internal and external detailed visual inspections and a low frequency eddy current inspection of the fuselage skin panel junctions, in accordance with Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-34, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991.

C. If no corrosion is found as a result of the inspections required by paragraph A. or B. of this AD, accomplish the following:

1. At intervals not to exceed one year, perform an EXTERNAL visual inspection of the fuselage from Frame N to Frame 27, in accordance with Aerospatiale N262- Fregate Service Bulletin 53-34, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991.

2. At intervals not to exceed 2 years, perform an INTERNAL visual inspection from Frame N to Frame 27, in accordance with Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-34, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991.

3. At intervals not to exceed 6 years, accomplish the following:

a. NON-PRESSURIZED AREA: Perform internal and external detailed visual inspections of the circumferential and longitudinal skin panel junction from Frame N to Frame J and from Frame 21 to Frame 27, in accordance with the AccomplishmentInstructions, paragraph 2C(3)A of Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-34, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991.

b. PRESSURIZED AREA: Perform internal and external detailed visual inspections of the circumferential and longitudinal fuselage skin panel junctions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2C(3)A of Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-34, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991.

D. If corrosion is found as a result of the inspections required by paragraph A., B., or C. of this AD, and the corrosion depth is equal to or less than 30 microns, accomplish one of the following:

1. Perform external visual inspections at intervals not to exceed one year, and low frequency eddy current inspections at intervals not to exceed 2 years, in accordance with Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-34, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991; or

2. Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with Scheme No. 1 (Preventative Measure Procedure without Removal of Panels) specified in Aerospatiale N262- Fregate Service Bulletin 53-35, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991. Thereafter, repeat the visual and low frequency eddy current inspections at intervals not to exceed 6 years, in accordance with Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-34, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991; or

3. Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with Scheme No. 2 (Curative Measures Procedures with Removal of Panels) specified in Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-35, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991. This constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections of that area required by this AD.

E. If corrosion is found as a result of the inspections required by paragraph A., B., or C. of this AD, and the corrosion depth is more than 30 microns but less than or equal to 100 microns, accomplish one of the following:

1. Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with Scheme No. 1 (Preventative Measure Procedure without Removal of Panels) specified in Aerospatiale N262- Fregate Service Bulletin 53-35, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991. Thereafter, repeat the visual and low frequency eddy current inspections at intervals not to exceed 2 years, in accordance with Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-34, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991.

2. Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with Scheme No. 2 (Curative Measures Procedures with Removal of Panels) specified in Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-35, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991. This constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections for that area required by this AD.

F. If corrosion is found as a result of the inspections required by paragraph A., B., or C. of this AD, and the corrosion depth is more than 100 microns, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with Scheme No. 2 (Curative Measures Procedures with Removal of Panels) specified in Aerospatiale N262-Fregate Service Bulletin 53-35, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1991. This constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections of that area required by this AD.

G. An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

NOTE: The request should be forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

H. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base in order to comply with the requirements of this AD.

All persons affected by this directive who have not already received the appropriate service documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. These documents may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue S.W., Renton, Washington.

This amendment (39-7088, AD 91-15-23) becomes effective on August 26, 1991.