80-18-11 FAIRCHILD: Amendment 39-3904. Applies to all Model F27 and FH227 series airplanes certificated in all categories.
Compliance required as indicated:
To detect cracks in the front spar web, the upper and lower spar caps, skins, stringers and rib caps on the upper and lower surface of the left and right horizontal stabilizer, accomplish the following:
(a) For F27A, F27F and F27G airplanes, within the next 50 hours in service after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished within the last 250 hours in service, and at intervals not to exceed 300 hours in service from the last inspection, inspect the horizontal stabilizer for cracks in accordance with Fairchild Service Bulletin F27-55-6, Revision No. 1, dated March 24, 1980, or an approved equivalent. The 300 hour repetitive inspection may be increased to 1200 hours in service after incorporation of Fairchild Service Bulletin F27-55-7, dated July 20, 1965, or an approved equivalent.
(b) For F27J and F27M airplanes, within the next 50 hours in service after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished within the last 10 hours in service, and at intervals not to exceed 60 hours in service from the last inspection, inspect the horizontal stabilizer for cracks in accordance with the above Service Bulletin or an approved equivalent. The 60 hour repetitive inspection may be increased to 150 hours in service after incorporation of Fairchild Service Bulletin F27-55-7, dated July 20, 1965, or an approved equivalent. It may be increased to 350 hours in service after incorporation of Fairchild Service Bulletins F27-55-11, dated November 5, 1979, and F27-55-12, dated December 6, 1966, or an approved equivalent.
(c) For FH227 type airplanes and for F27A, F27G, F27J, F27F, and F27M airplanes having the FH227 horizontal stabilizer installed, comply with Paragraph (d) within the next 150 hours in service after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished within the last1050 hours in service, and at intervals not to exceed 1200 hours in service from the last inspection.
(d) Inspect the horizontal stabilizer for cracks in accordance with the accomplishment instructions (except Note 1) of Fairchild Service Bulletin FH227-55-13, Revision No. 1, dated March 24, 1980, or an approved equivalent, using X-Ray or dye penetrant in conjunction with a glass of at least 10-power or an approved equivalent.
(e) Repair cracked parts or replace them, before further flight, with an unused part of the same part number or an approved equivalent, except that the airplane may be flown in accordance with FAR 21.197 to a base where the repair can be performed.
(f) Equivalent inspections, repairs or parts must be approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region.
(g) Upon submission of substantiating data by an owner or operator, through an FAA maintenance inspector, the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region, may adjust the compliance times specified in this AD.
This AD supersedes AD's 66-27-05 and 66-28-03.
This amendment is effective September 4, 1980.