AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section. Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes AD/BEECH 90/99 Main Landing Gear Torque Knee 4/2002 Applicability: Model Serial Number 65-90, 65-A90, B90, C90, and C90A. LJ-1 through LJ-1559 65-A90-1 LM-1 through LM-141 65-A90-4 LU-1 through LU-16 E90 LW-1 through LW-347 H-90 LL-1 through LL-61 Requirement: 1. Inspect the main landing gear upper torque knee and lower torque knee for fatigue cracks in accordance with Accomplishment Instructions paragraph of Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 32-3134, Revision 1, revised July 1999; and the applicable aircraft maintenance manual. 2. If fatigue cracks are found in the main landing gear torque knees during any inspection required by this Directive, replace the cracked torque knees in accordance with Service Bulletin SB 32-3116, issued October 1999. Note 1: When both left and right main landing gear upper and lower torque knees are replaced with new upper torque knees, part number 50-810032-12, and new lower torque knees, part number 50-810295-25, in accordance with Service Bulletin SB 32-3116, the repetitive inspection requirements of this Directive are no longer required. Note 2: FAA AD 2002-01-10 Amdt 39-12602 refers. Compliance: 1. Within 100 hours' time in service after 18 April 2002; thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours' time in service. 2. Before further flight. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 18 April 2002. Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes AD/BEECH 90/99 (continued) Background: The FAA received numerous reports of fatigue cracks on main landing gear torque knees. In at least four cases, the main landing gear separated from the aircraft. David Alan Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 March 2002 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 March 2002.