AD/SAAB/5 - Flight Control System Bellcranks (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 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.

SAAB "Safir" Series Aeroplanes

AD/SAAB/5 Flight Control System Bellcranks 7/2002

Applicability: Model Safir 91B, 91B2, 91C, and 91D aircraft, serial numbers 91-201 through 91- 474.

Requirement: Inspect certain bellcranks in the flight control system using dye penetrant method, in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin No. 91.4.002.

Until this action is accomplished, all aerobatic manoeuvres are prohibited and abrupt application of the flight controls should be avoided.

Note: LFV AD 1685 refers.

Compliance: Before 31 August 2002, unless already accomplished.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 July 2002.

Background: A recent check of foreign airworthiness directives received by the Authority revealed that several in the SAAB Safir series had never been received and assessed. This Directive requires inspections of certain bellcranks in the flight control system that were identified as being manufactured from "Hydronaulium", which deteriorates with age and is susceptible to cracking.