80-01-01 PARTENAVIA COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE S.p.A.: Amendment 39- 3640. Applies to Model P68 and P68B airplanes, Serial Numbers 1 through 88, except Serial Numbers 03 and 04, certificated in all categories, which do not have stabilator balance weight attachment channel stiffeners, P/N R-0009-2, installed.
Compliance is required as indicated unless already accomplished.
To prevent loss of the stabilator balance weight accomplish the following:
(a) Within 25 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD for those airplanes which have more than 500 hours total time in service, inspect the stabilator balance weight attachment channel, P/N 68-3.3017-3, for cracks, using the dye penetrant method or an equivalent method approved by an FAA maintenance inspector.
(b) If no cracks are found during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD -
(i) Return the aircraft to service, and
(ii) Repeat the inspection in paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time in service from the last inspection.
(c) If cracks are found during any inspection required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, before further flight, except that aircraft may be flown in accordance with FAR 21.197 to a base where the repair can be performed, install channel stiffeners, P/N R-0009-2, in accordance with section titled "INSTRUCTION" in Partenavia Service Bulletin No. 36, revision 1, dated March 24, 1978, (hereinafter referred to as the service bulletin) or an FAA-approved equivalent, and Partenavia Drawing No. R-0009, titled "Stabilator Balance Weight Attachment Channel Modification Scheme" dated March 31, 1978, (hereinafter referred to as the drawing), or an FAA-approved equivalent.
(d) Within 100 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, without regard to total time in service, install 2 channel stiffeners, P/N R-0009-2, in accordance with the service bulletin and drawing, or an FAA-approved equivalent.(e) The inspections required by paragraphs (a) or (b) of this AD may be discontinued when the stiffeners, P/N R-0009-2, are installed.
(f) An equivalent method of compliance with the modification required by paragraph (c) or (d) of this AD must be approved by the Chief, Aircraft Certification Staff, AEU- 100, Federal Aviation Administration, Europe, Africa and Middle East Region, c/o American Embassy, Brussels, Belgium.
This amendment becomes effective January 2, 1980.