AD/SF340/59 Amdt 1 - Flap Support Strap (Cth)

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

SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes

AD/SF340/59 Amdt 1

Flap Support Strap 6/98

Applicability: Model SF340A with serial numbers SF340A-004 through -159.

Model 340B with serial numbers 340B-160 through -384, -386 through -404, -406 through -408, and -410 through -413.

Requirement: Action in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-57-033 Revision 2.

Note: LFV AD 1-117R1 refers.

Compliance: At the next scheduled structural inspection of the flap (refer to the MRB report), or within 3000 flights after 21 May 1998, whichever occurs later.

For flaps that have accumulated more than 16,000 flights (inspection threshold in the MRB) an external and internal visual inspection has to be performed within 1500 flights after 21 May 1998, unless the flap has been modified within that period.

This amendment becomes effective on 21 May 1998.

Background: During a scheduled inspection of the flap structure of an aircraft, it was found that the forward lower spar cap had cracked at WS 142. The crack was discovered in the radius of the spar cap extending in a spanwise direction. When the spar was being repaired, it was found that the support strap connecting the flap actuator fitting to the forward spar web, was cracked.

Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related LFV AD which introduces a later issue of the Requirement document, which clarifies the procedure and the AD compliance times.

The original issue of the airworthiness directive became effective on 14 August 1997.