AD 80-08-03 ACTIVE

80-08-03 GENERAL DYNAMICS: Amendment 39-3734. Applies to Model 240, T-29, 340, 440, and C-131 and all such model airplanes converted to turbopropeller power in accordance with STC SA1054WE, known as Model 600, and STC's SA4-1100 and SA1096WE, known as Model 580 and Model 640, respectively, certificated in all categories.

Compliance required as indicated.

To detect incipient failure of the pilots' windshield, direct vision windows, sliding windows, P/N 340-3110307-7 or -8, and cabin windows and to provide for a modification to prevent door collapse on certain airplanes, accomplish the following:

(a) For sliding windows P/N 340-3110307-7 or -8, which are five years or older after June 30, 1980, prior to further pressurized flight replace the window with a like serviceable part and inspect in accordance with paragraph (c). Replacement of the sliding windows, P/N 340- 3110307-7 or -8 with a new sliding window, P/N 340-3110307-9 or -10, eliminates the inspection requirements of this AD on the sliding window.

(b) If an airplane is to be operated with damage to the sliding windows, or cabin windows exceeding the limits specified in the referenced applicable service bulletins specified in paragraph (c) or with sliding windows P/N 240-3110315-6 or -7; or with sliding windows, P/N 340-3110307-7, or -8, which are five years old or older after June 30, 1980, or twelve years old or older as of the effective date of this AD, or with cabin windows which are twelve years or older after the effective date of this AD, prior to further flight, install a placard in plain view of the flight crew stating:

"Pressurized flight prohibited."

The placard may be removed when the inspections or window replacements required by this AD have been complied with.

(c) For those sliding windows, P/N 340-3110307-7 and -8, in airplanes used in pressurized operations;

Within the next 100 hours' time in service from the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours' time in service from the last inspection, inspect windows per paragraph 2.D.(4) under the "Sliding Windows" Section, page 45 of General Dynamics Service Bulletin 640 (340D) No. 53-5B dated January 16, 1980, or page 46 of Service Bulletin 600 (240D) No. 53-4B, dated January 16, 1980.

(d) For those sliding windows P/N 340-3110307-7 and -8 that have been in storage or installed on airplanes which have been in storage, or installed on airplanes operated unpressurized, which, after the effective date of this AD, are to be used in pressurized operation:

Prior to return to pressurized flight, unless inspected within the last 30 days or 100 hours' time in service, whichever occurs first, inspect per paragraph (c).

(e) For those pilots' windshields with chronological age of 12 years or more from date of manufacture, within the next 250 hours' time in service from the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished within the last 250 hours' time in service and, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 90 days or 500 hours' time in service, whichever occurs first, inspect the pilots' windshields per paragraph 2.D.4 under the Pilots' Windshield Section, page 39 of General Dynamics Service Bulletin 600 (240D) No. 53-4B, dated January 16, 1980, or page 38 of General Dynamics Service Bulletin 640 (340D) No. 53-5B, dated January 16, 1980.

(f) For those direct vision windows with over 12 years time in service, within the next 250 hours' time in service from the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished within the last 250 hours' time in service and, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 90 days or 500 hours' time in service, whichever occurs first, inspect the direct vision windows per paragraph 2.D.4 under the DV Windows Section, page 41 of General Dynamics Service Bulletin 600 (240D) No. 53-4B, dated January 16, 1980, or page 40 of General Dynamics Service Bulletin 640 (340D) No. 53-5B, dated January 16, 1980.(g) For those cabin windows with over 12 years time in service, within the next 250 hours' time in service from the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished within the last 250 hours' time in service and, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 90 days or 500 hours' time in service, whichever occurs first, inspect the cabin windows per paragraph 2.D.(4) under the "Cabin Windows" Section, page 49 of General Dynamics Service Bulletin 600 (240D) No. 53-4B, dated January 16, 1980, or page 49 of General Dynamics Service Bulletin 640 (240D) No. 53-5B, dated January 16, 1980.

(h) For those cabin windows twelve years of age or older after the effective date of this AD that have been in storage or installed on airplanes which have been in storage, or installed on airplanes operated unpressurized, which, after the effective date of this AD, are to be used in pressurized operation:

Prior to return to pressurized flight, unless inspected within the last 90 days or 500 hours' time in service, whichever occurs first, inspect per paragraph (g).

(i) On Models 340, 440, 580 and 640: As of the effective date of this AD, a condition for airworthiness certification shall be modification of the cockpit door in accordance with General Dynamics Service Bulletin 640 (340D) No. 25-9, dated November 16, 1970.

(j) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base for the accomplishment of inspections required by this AD.

(k) Alternative inspections, modifications or other actions which provide an equivalent level of safety may be used when approved by the Chief, Aircraft Engineering Division, FAA Western Region.

This amendment becomes effective May 5, 1980.