2007-05-01 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39- 14962. Docket No. FAA-2007-27335; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM- 291-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 14, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) AD 96-07-14, amendment 39-9564, is related to this AD.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., (CASA) Model C-212 airplanes; all series, all serial numbers; certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Wings.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
On 23 November 2006, Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2006- 0351-E was published requiring an inspection to be performed on C- 212 aeroplanes having been used for Maritime Patrol or other similar low altitude operations, due to the fact that, after initial examination of the evidences of a recent C-212 Maritime Patrol aircraft accident, cracks had been found in the centre wing lower skin at STA Y=1030. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had accumulated 17,000 flight hours and 7,300 flight cycles. The cracks were suspected to be caused by fatigue.
After a more detailed examination in the laboratory, it has been determined that the initiation of the cracks was produced by fretting.
The subject element is identified in Ref. 1 (C-212 Supplemental Inspection Document (SID) C-212-PV-02-SID) as a Principal Structural Element (PSE) with No. 57.212.06 and requested to be inspected at a threshold of 20,000 landings (subject to some operational constraints defined in Ref. 1) in accordance with the inspection method and sequence described in Ref. 2 (C-212 Supplemental Inspection Procedures (SIP) C-212-PV-02-SIP), Section 57-10-03.
Ref. 1 document was made mandatory by DGAC-Spain Airworthiness directive Nr. 02/88 (current status of that AD is revision 3, dated 4 February 2004).
Inspection threshold as per AD 02/88 Rev. 3 remains valid and relevant inspections have to be performed in addition to the requirements of this Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD).
The above mentioned cracks, if not timely detected, could lead to reduced structural integrity of the aircraft. This EAD, which supersedes EASA EAD 2006-0351-E, is intended to ensure that no other C-212 aircraft could be affected by this problem, by mandating a one-time inspection of the subject area, in accordance with the requirements under the paragraph "Compliance" of this EAD (EASA EAD 2006-0365-E).
Furthermore, it has been determined that a Non Destructive Inspection (NDI) performed in accordance with Ref. 2, Section 57-10- 03 could not be sufficient to detect cracks initiated by fretting. A complementary inspection procedure has been defined, and is also required under the paragraph "Compliance" of this EAD (EASA EAD 2006-0365-E).
The corrective action includes a one-time inspection for cracks, and repair if necessary.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) For airplanes used for maritime operations and all other airplanes on which the operator cannot positively determine that the airplanes have not been flown more than ten percent of flights at altitudes below 3,000 feet as of the effective date of this AD: Perform a Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) and a complementary NDI for cracks at the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(1)(i), (f)(1)(ii), or (f)(1)(iii) of this AD. Do the inspections as defined in EADS-CASA All Operator Letter 212-018, Revision 1, dated December 1, 2006.
Note: For the purposes of this AD, the term "maritime operations" is defined as airplanes which are used for monitoring certain areas of water.
(i) For airplanes having accumulated 5,600 flight hours or less, and 2,400 landings or less, as of the effective date of this AD: Perform the inspections before the accumulation of 5,600 total flight hours or 2,400 total landings after the effective date of this AD, or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs latest.
(ii) For airplanes having accumulated more than 5,600 flight hours but less than or equal to 8,000 flight hours, or more than 2,400 landings but less than or equal to 3,600 landings, as of the effective date of this AD: Perform the inspections before the accumulation of 200 flight hours or 100 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(iii) For airplanes having accumulated more than 8,000 flight hours or more than 3,600 landings as of the effective date of this AD: Perform the inspections within 14 days after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD: Perform the NDIs at the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i), (f)(2)(ii), or (f)(2)(iii) of this AD. Do the inspections as defined in EADS-CASA All Operator Letter 212-018, Revision 1, dated December 1, 2006.
(i) For airplanes having accumulated 10,000 flight hours or less, and 10,000 landings or less as of the effective date of this AD: Perform the inspections before the accumulation of 10,000 total flight hours or 10,000 total landings after the effective date of this AD, or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs latest.
(ii) For airplanes having accumulated more than 10,000 flight hours but less than or equal to 15,000 flight hours, or more than 10,000 landings but less than or equal to 15,000 landings, as of the effective date of this AD: Perform the inspections before the accumulation of 200 flight hours or 100 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(iii) For airplanes having accumulated more than 15,000 flight hours or more than 15,000 landings as of the effective date of this AD: Perform the inspections within 14 days after the effective date of this AD.
(3) No further flight is allowed if any cracks are detected when performing the actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD. Before further flight, repair any cracking found during any inspection required by this AD using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent). Within 30 days after cracks are detected, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, send a detailed report of the findings (both positive and negative) of the inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD to EADS-CASA for evaluation at the following address: EADS-CASA, Military Transport Aircraft Division, Integrated Customer Services, Technical Services, Avenida de Aragon 404, 28022-Madrid, Spain; telephone 34-91-624-6306; fax 34-91-585-5505. E-mail: MTA, TechnicalService@casa.eads.net. In any case, a confirmation of the accomplishment of this inspection is required to be sent to EADS- CASA.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows:
(1) Compliance Time: For certain airplanes, the compliance time required by the MCAI or service information for performing the non- destructive inspections is before further flight; however, to avoid inadvertently grounding airplanes, this AD requires performing those inspections within 14 days after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Repair: Although the MCAI or service information does not include a repair procedure for cracking, this AD requires the repair of any cracking per the FAA, EASA, or its delegated agent.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer; 1601 Lind Avenue,SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2006- 0365-E, dated December 4, 2006; and EADS-CASA All Operator Letter 212-018, Revision 1, dated December 1, 2006, for related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use EADS-CASA All Operator Letter 212-018, Revision 1, dated December 1, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356;or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html .