COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes AD/CHA/25 Amdt 1 Applicability: Models: Wing Front Strut Fittings 12/96 DM 8KCAB S/N 643-90 to 768-96, and all other S/N. equipped with metal spar wings assembly P/N 7-1521; 8GCBC S/N 361-91 to 377-96, and all other S/N equipped with metal spar wings assembly P/N 7-1542; 7GCBC S/N 1200-94 to 1215-96, and all other S/N equipped with metal spar wings assembly P/N 7-1541; 7ECA S/N 1355-95 to 1358-96, and all other S/N equipped with metal spar wings assembly P/N 7-1567. 7GCAA and 7KCAB, all S/N equipped with metal spar wings assembly P/N 7-1567. Requirement: 1. Install inspection holes and removable covers in accordance with the appropriate American Champion Service Letter (SL) as follows: 1. Model 8KCAB in compliance with SL408 - SL410, or b. Model 8KCAB not in compliance with SL408 - SL 411, or c. Model 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC, and 8GCBC in compliance with SL409 Rev A - SL412, or d. Model 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC, and 8GCBC not compliance with SL409 Rev A. - SL413. 2. Replace the wing front strut attach fitting in accordance with American Champion SL 414 Rev. A, or 415 Rev. A, as appropriate. Note: FAA AD 96-18-02 refers, and supersedes AD 96-03-11. Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 20 hours time in service after 02 October 1996. Where replacement wing front strut fittings may not be immediately available from the aircraft manufacturer, continued inspection in accordance with the requirements of SL 408 or SL 409, as appropriate, is authorised at intervals not exceeding 20 hours time in service until: 1. cracking, scratches or surface deformities are found on an attach fitting, or b. parts become available from American Champion, or c. five repetitive inspections have been carried out (120 hours time in service) COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Background: This Directive follows a fatal accident overseas, where the investigation found fatigue cracking of the wing front strut fittings. Subsequent inspections of other aircraft of the type found other instances of cracking. Amendment 1 increases the model and serial number range, introduces inspection access and removable inspection covers, and requires the installation of reliable airworthy replacement fittings. The initial issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 27 March 1996.