AD/CESSNA 170/59 Amdt 1 - Horizontal Stabiliser Front Spar (Cth)

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

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 170/59 and issues the following 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.

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

AD/CESSNA 170/59 Amdt 1

Horizontal Stabiliser Front Spar 3/2001

Applicability: All Model 172 and 175 series aircraft, all Reims Model F172 and FR172 series aircraft; except Models 172R & 172S, and subsequent.

Requirement: Visually inspect the horizontal stabiliser front spar for cracking in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SEB94-8.

Compliance: At intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service.

This amendment becomes effective on 22 March 2001.

Background: A number of instances of cracking of the horizontal stabiliser front spar have been reported. In July 1984 the Authority issued AAC 153-2 highlighting the problem. The most likely cause was incorrect ground handling; pushing down on the stabiliser to lift the nose wheel. However cracks continue to be reported and in one instance the spar was reported to have been completely severed. Reports have also been received of cracking of modified and reinforced spars, Cessna P/N 0532001-98.