AD/CESSNA 170/58 - Nose Landing Gear Actuator Attach Fitting (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes

AD/CESSNA 170/58 Nose Landing Gear Actuator Attach Fitting 8/95

Applicability: All Cessna 172RG aircraft with Serial Numbers 172RG0001 to 172RG1191 without Cessna reinforcement kit SK172-142 installed.

Requirement: 1. a. Remove the 6 AN23-9A bolts attaching the nose landing gear actuator fitting (P/N 2413002-3) to the lower fuselage skin.

1. b. Inspect the actuator fitting for cracks at the bolt holes using fluorescent penetrant.

1. c. Visually inspect the bolt holes in the skin for elongation and cracking. Replace the skin if elongation in any hole exceeds 0.03 inches.

Note: Cessna Service Bulletin SEB93-8 and Service Kit SK172-142 refer.

Compliance: Initially inspect in accordance with Requirement 1 before 50 hours time in service after 20 July 1995 or before 20 October 1995, whichever occurs first.

Re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time in service.

Background: There have been a number of reports of cracking of the nose landing gear actuator fitting and associated elongation of fastener holes in the skin. In two of the reports the fitting was cracked 80% through the thickness. Fitting failure could result in collapse of the nose landing gear.