AD 73-12-08 ACTIVE

73-12-08 GENERAL DYNAMICS: Amdt. 39-1659. Applies to Models 22 and 22M airplanes.

Compliance, as indicated, required on all airplanes with 28,000 hours or more of total time in service, unless already accomplished.

To prevent failures of the flap track support structure accomplish the following:

a. Within the next 50 landings after the effective date of this A.D., unless already accomplished within the last 275 landings, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 325 landings from the last inspection,

(1) Visually inspect the right and left inboard flap at wing station 180.504 for cracks in the flap track support rails 22-17463-57, -58, -59, -60, in the fitting 22-18994-1, -3 or -5 and in the track supporting structure general vicinity.

(2) If cracks are found in any fitting, it must be replaced before further flight. If cracks are found in the rails or supporting structure other than fittings, parts must be replaced or repaired, before further flight, in amanner approved by the Chief, Aircraft Engineering Division, FAA Western Region. Airplanes with minor cracks in fittings, rails or support structure may be flown per FAR 21.197 to a base where replacement or repair of parts can be accomplished.

b. When parts are replaced or repaired per (a)(2) above, the repetitive inspections of (a) above, are no longer required for that part until it accumulates another 28000 hours' time in service from the last inspection.

For the purpose of complying with this A.D., subject to acceptance by the assigned FAA maintenance inspector, the number of landings may be determined by dividing each airplanes hours' time in service by the operator's fleet average time from takeoff to landing for the airplane type.

This amendment becomes effective June 12, 1973.