AC 43.13-1A

Historical

Advisory circular · Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices - Aircraft Inspection and Repair

A newer version is currentThis is a historical version. AC 43.13-1B CHG 1 Ed Update is the version in force, approved September 27, 2001.
Approved
January 1, 1972
Last reviewed
June 11, 2024
Cancels
AC43.13-1
Cancelled by
AC43.13-1A CHG 1
Family
AC 43.13-1 · 7 versions
Revision
A
14 CFR parts
43
Cited by
95 ADs

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed November 21, 2025.

Show pages 65–76
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I€ 43.13-1A Page 37 972 ,30° SLEEVE

ROSETTE WELDS MAY - WELD

BE OMITTED WHEN SLEEVES FIT TIGHTLY.

- REPLAGEMENT TUBE

ORIGINAL TUBE

FISH-MOUTH SLEEVE

- UZA

ROSETTE WELDS MAY WELD

BE OMITTED WHEN SLEEVES FIT TIGHTLY.

LREPLACEMENT TUBE

ORIGINAL TUBE

FOUR ROSETTE - WELD HERE FIRST WELDS

ORIGINAL TUBE -1/8" GAP

FOR WELDING ALTERNATIVE SPLIT SLEEVE SPLICE ~

IF OUTSIDE DIAMETER OF ORIGINAL TUBE IS LESS THAN I INCH, SPLIT SLEEVE MAY BE MADE FROM STEEL TUBE OR SHEET STEEL. USE SAME

MATERIAL OF AT LEAST THE SAME GAUGE, FOR ORIGINAL TUBE DIAMETERS OF 1 INCH AND OVER, USE SHEET STEEL ONLY.

FIGURE 2.8.-Splicing by outer sleeve method-replacement by welded outside sleeve.

Par 74

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in cold water. If this is insufficient, polish down the diameter of the sleeve with emery cloth. Weld the inner sleeve to the tube stubs through the 1/8-inch gap, forming a weld bead over the gap.

75. SPLICING TUBING BY OUTER SLEEVE METHOD.

If partial replacement of a tube is necessary, make the outer sleeve splice using a replacement tube of the same diameter. Since the outer sleeve splice requires the greatest amount of welding, it should be used only when the other splicing methods are not suitable. Information on the replacement by use of the welded outside sleeve method is given in figures 2.8 and 2.9.

Remove the damaged section of a tube utilizing a 90° cut. Cut a replacement steel tube of the same material, diameter, and at least the same wall thickness to match the length of the removed portion of the damaged tube. This replacement tube must bear against the stubs of the original tube with a total tolerance not to AC 43.13- 19 exceed 1/82 inch. The outer sleeve tube mat rial selected must be of the same material an at least the same wall thickness as the origin tube. The clearance between inside diameter c the sleeve and the outside diameter of the orig inal tube may not exceed 1/16 inch. From thi outer sleeve tube material, cut diagonally (o fishmouth) 2 sections of tubing, each of suc length that the nearest end of the outer sleev is a minimum distance of 1 1/2-tube diameter from the end of the cut on the original tube Use a fishmouth sleeve wherever possible. Re move the burr from the edges of the sleeves replacement tube, and the original tube stubs Slip the two sleeves over the replacement tube aline the replacement tube with the origina tube stubs, and slip the sleeves out over thi center of each joint. Adjust the sleeves to sui the area and to provide maximum reinforce ment. Tackweld the two sleeves to the replace ment tube in two places before welding. Apply a uniform weld around both ends of one of the reinforcement sleeves and allow the weld t cool; then, weld around both ends of the r < ORIGINAL TUBE

SLEEVE SLEEVE

TUBE TUBE

ROSETTE ORIGINAL TUBE WELD WELD ORIGINAL TUBE 1/2 A SLEEVE Ve" GAF ALLOW REPLACEMENT TUBE SLEEVE TUBE

TUBE BETWEEN SLEEVES

FOR WELDING, FIGURE 2.9.-Tube replacement at a station by welded outer sleeves.

Far 74

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АС 43.73-1А Page 41 1972

WELD SPACER APPROXIMATELY "A" LONG WELDED ON

INSIDE TUBE

•ЗА~ (А) (B) GENERAL NOTE:-

ALL ROSETTE WELDS (C) TO BE & DIAMETER OF THE ORIGINAL TUBES.

GAP 1" (D) FIGURE 2.11.-Repairs at built-in fuselage fittings.

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Page 42 АС 43.13-1А 1972 GAP I" 30 WELD mh ABC

FORM INSIDE TUBE TO FIT. AT LEAST - 3C - AT LEAST

A - SLOT WIDTH (ORIGINAL TUBE) 8 - OUTSIDE DIAMETER (INSERT TUBE)

C - STREAMLINE TUBE LENGTH OF MAJOR AXIS S.L. SIZE D 9/16 1.340" • 496" 1- 4 11/16 1.670 • 619 1-2 2.005 . 743 1- 4 2.339 .867 2 2,670 991 2-¼ 3.008 1.115 г- ½ ı- ₴ 3.342 1.239

ROUND INSERT TUBE (B) SHOULD BE AT LEAST OF SAME

MATERIAL AND ONE GAUGE THICKER THAN ORIGINAL STREAMLINE TUBE (C).

FIGURE 2.12.-Streamline tube splice using round tube (applicable to landing gears).

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1972 AC 43.13-TA

OPEN OUT OPEN OUT TO FIT ORIGIN ORIGINAL TUBE AND WELD.

OUTSIDE SLEEVE MAY BE OF SAME SL. TUBING AS ORIGINAL OR USE AT LEAST S.L. TUBING OF AT LEAST THE C- SAME GAUGE.

AT LEAST WELD

A - MINIMUM LENGTH OF SLEEVE 9- STREAMLINE TUBE LENGTH OF MINOR AXIS

- STREAMLINE TUBE LENGTH Of MAJOR AXIS S. L. SIZE

7.324" .572" 1.340" 1-¼ 9.128 .714 1.670 1-½ 10.960 .858 2.005 1- ¾ 12.784 1.000 2.339 2 14.594 1.144 2.670 2-4% 16.442 1.286 3.008 2 - ½ 18.268 1.430 3.342 FIGURE 2.13.—Streamline tube splice using split aleeve (applicable to wing and tail surface brace struts and other members).

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Page 44 AC 43.13-1A 1972 *B-* WELD GAP $" SIZE OF ROSETTES = 14G. DRILL OUTSIDE

TUBES ONLY B C

SEA-SEE * B- -2A-→ IŁA L = MAXIMUM INSERT LENGTH SAW .08 C OFF OF T.E. AND WELD INSERT TUBE IS OF SAME STREAMLINE TUBING AS ORIGINAL.

A IS E B 8 IS MINOR AXIS LENGTH OF ORIGINAL STREAMLINE TUBE

C IS MAJOR AXIS LENGTH OF ORIGINAL STREAMLINE TUBE S. L. SIZE .382 _ 572 1.340 5.16 1¼ ,476 • 714 1.670 6.43 1/½ . 572 1858 2.005 7.72 1 ¾ .667 1.000 2.339 9.00 2 .763 1.144 2.670 10.30 2 '¼ .858 I.286 3.008 11.58 2 V/½ ,954 1.430 3.342 12.88 FIGURE 2.14.-Streamline tube splice using split insert (applicable to landing gears).

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kc 43.13-14 1972

c. Axle Assemblies. Representative types of repairable and nonrepairable landing gear axle assemblies are shown in figure 2.16. The types as shown in A, B, and C of this figure are formed from steel tubing and may be repaired by the applicable method shown in figures 2.5 thru 2.15 in this Advisory Circular. However, it will always be necessary to ascertain whether or not the members are heat treated.

The axle assembly as shown in figure

2.16(D) is, in general, of a nonrepairable type for the following reasons:

(1) The axle stub is usually made from a highly heat-treated nickel alloy steel and carefully machined to close tolerances. These stubs are usually replaceable and should be replaced if damaged.

(2) The oleo portion of the structure is generally heat-treated after welding and is perfectly machined to assure proper functioning of the shock absorber. These parts would be istorted by welding after machining.

J. BUILT-UP TUBULAR WING OR TAIL SURFACE ARS. Repair built-up tubular wing or tail surce spars by using any of the applicable plices and methods of repair shown in figures 5 through 2.15 provided the spars are not eat-treated. In the case of heat-treated spars, he entire spar assembly would have to be reeat-treated to the manufacturer's specificaons after completion of the repair. In genal, this will be found less practicable than placing the spar with one furnished by the anufacturer.

WING AND TAIL BRACE STRUTS. In general, 'ill be found advantageous to replace damwing-brace struts made either from ded or streamlined tubing with new mempurchased from the original manufac- However, there is no objection from an rthiness point of view to repairing such ers in a proper manner. An acceptable d, in case streamlined tubing is used, will nd in figure 2.18. Repair similar memnade of round tubes using a standard as shown in figures 2.5, 2.7, or 2.8.

a. Location of Splices. Steel brace struts may be spliced at any point along the length of the strut, provided the splice does not overlap part of an end fitting. The jury strut attachment is not considered an end fitting; therefore, a splice may be made at this point. The repair procedure and workmanship should be such as to minimize distortion due to welding and the necessity for subsequent straightening operations. Observe every repaired strut carefully during initial flights to ascertain that the vibration characteristics of the strut and attaching components are not adversely affected by the repair. A wide range of speed and enginepower combination must be covered during this check.

(1) Fit and Alignment. When making repairs to wing and tail surface brace members, pay particular attention to proper fit and alinement to avoid distortion.

82, REPAIRS TO WELDED PARTS. Repairs to welded assemblies may be made by:

a. Repiacing welded joints-cutting out the welded joint and replacing it with one properly gusseted, or

b. Replacing weld deposit-chipping out the metal deposited by the weld process and rewelding after properly reinforcing the joint by means of inserts or external gussets.

83. STAINLESS STEEL STRUCTURE. Repair structural components made from stainless steel, particularly the "18-8" variety (18 percent chromiun, 8 percent nickel), joined by spot welding in accordance with the instructions furnished by the manufacturer. Substitution of bolted or riveted connections for spot-welded joints are to be specifically approved by an authorized representative of the FAA.

a. Secondary Structural and Nonstructural Elements. Repair such elements as tip-bows or leading and trailing edge tip-strips of wing-andcontrol surfaces by soldering with a 50-50 lead-tin solder or a 60-40 alloy of these metals.

For best results use a flux of phosphoric acid (syrup). Since the purpose of flux is to attack the metal so that the soldering will be effec- Par 79

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Page 48 AC 43.13-:

19:

tive, remove excess flux by washing the joint. welded seams in boat hulls, fuel tanks, etc., in Due to the high-heat conductivity of the stain- similar manner.

less steel, use a soldering iron large enough to do the work properly. Repair leaky spot- 84.~94. RESERVED.

Par 83

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lAC 43.13-1A Page 49 1972 Section 3. METAL REPAIR PROCEDURES

95. RIVETED OR BOLTED STEEL TRUSS-TYPE STRUC- TURES. Repairs to riveted or bolted steel trusstype structures should be made, employing the general principles outlined in the following paragraphs on aluminum alloy structures.

Methods for repair of vital members should be specifically approved by a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration.

96. ALUMINUM ALLOY STRUCTURES. Extensive repairs to damaged stressed skin on monocoque types of aluminum alloy structures should preferably be made in accordance with specific recommendations of the manufacturer of the aircraft. In many cases, repair parts, joints, or reinforcements can be designed, and proof of adequate strength shown, without the calculaion of the design loads and stresses, by properly considering the material and dimensions f the original parts and the riveted attachments. Examples illustrating the principles of this method as applied to typical repairs are given in this handbook, or may be found in extbooks on metal structures. An important point to bear in mind in making repairs on nonocoque structures is that a repaired part must be as strong as the original with respect to all types of loads and general rigidity.

a. Use of Annealed Alloys for Structural Parts.

he use of annealed 2017 or 2024 for any ructural repair of an aircraft is not consided satisfactory because of its poor corrosionisting properties.

Hygroscopic Materials Improperly Moisturefed. The use of hygroscopic materials imberly moisture-proofed, such as impregd fabrics, or leather, and the like, to effect r-tight joints and seams is not an acceptacactice.

rilling Oversized Holes. Avoid drilling zed holes or otherwise decreasing the effective tensile areas of wing-spar capstrips, wing, fuselage, or fin longitudinal stringers, or other highly stressed tensile members. Make all repairs or reinforcements to such members in accordance with factory recommendations or with the specific approval or a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration.

d. Disassembly Prior to Repairing. If the parts to be removed are essential to the rigidity of the complete structure, support the remaining structure prior to disassembly in such a manner as to prevent distortion and permanent damage to the remainder of the structure.

When rivets are to be removed, weaken the rivet head by drilling. Use a drill of the same size as the rivet. Drilling must be exact center and to the base of the head only. After drilling, break off the head with a pin punch and carefully drive out the shank. Removal of rivet heads with a cold chisel and hammer is not recommended because skin damage and distorted rivet holes will probably result. Care must also be taken whenever screws must be removed for disassembly or removal of stress plates, access plates, fillets, etc., to avoid damage to adjoining structure. When properly used, impact wrenches can be effective tools for removal of screws; however, damage to adjoining structure may result from excessive vertical loads being applied through the screw axis.

Excessive loads are usually related to improperly adjusted impact tools or attempting to remove screws that have seized from corrosion.

Remove seized screw by drilling and use of a screw extractor. Structural cracks may appear in the doubler or tang that runs parallel to the line of anchor or plate nuts installed for securing access doors or plates. Inspect rivet joints adjacent to damaged structure for partial failure (slippage) by removing one or more rivets to see if holes are elongated or the rivets have started to shear.

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97. SELECTION OF ALUMINUM FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. In selecting the alloy, it is usually satisfactory to use 2024 in place of 2017 since the former is stronger. Hence, it will not be permissible to replace 2024 by 2017 unless the deficiency in strength of the latter material is compensated by an increase in material thickness, or the structural strength is substantiated by tests or analysis. Information on the comparative strength properties of these alloys, as well as 2014, 6061, 7075, etc., is contained in MIL-HDBK-5, Metallic Materials and Elements for Flight Vehicle Structure.

The choice of temper depends upon the severity of the subsequent forming operations. Parts having single curvature and straight bend lines with a large bend radius may be advantageously formed from heat-treated material, while a part, such as a fuselage frame, would АС 43.13-11 197:

have to be formed from soft, annealed sheet and heat-treated after forming. Make sure sheet metal parts which are to be left unpainted are made of clad (aluminum coated) material. Make sure all sheet material and finished parts are free from cracks, scratches, kinks, tool marks, corrosion pits, and other defects which may be factors in subsequent failure.

a. Forming Sheet Metal Parts. Bend lines should preferably be made to lie at an angle to the grain of the metal (preferably 90°). Before bending, smooth all rough edges, remove burrs, and drill relief holes at the ends of bend bure, and lines and at corners, to prevent cracks from starting. For material in the heat-treated condition, the bend radius should be large. (See figure 2.17 for recommended bend radii.)

FIGURE 2.17.-Recommended radii for 90° bends in aluminum alloys.

Approximate sheet thickness (t) (inch) Alloy and temper

0.016 0.082 0.064 0.128 0.182 0.268 2024-01 0-1t O-1t 0-1t 0-1t 2024-T8** 133t-St 2t 4t 8t-5t 4t-6t 4t-8t 2024-T6' 2t 4t 8t-5t 3t-5t 4t-6t 5t-7t 5052-0 O-It 0-1t O-It 5052-H82 ½t-It ½ t-1½t est-1%t 5052-H84 3st-1½t 1½t-2½t 1½t-2½t 5052-H86 0-1t % t-1½t 1t-2t 1½t-St 2t-4t 5052-F88 36t-1t It-2t 1½t-3t 2t-1t 8₺-бt 6061-0 0-1t O-1t 0-1t O-1t 6061-T4 0-It 0-1t 1t-2t 1½t-St 6061-T6 0-1t ½t-1%t 1t-2t 1½t-St 2t-4t 7075-0 0-It 0-1t ½t-1½t 1t-21 7075-T6' 2t-4t 3t-5t 4t-6t St-7t ' Alclad sheet may be bent over slight smaller radif than the corresponding tempers of uncoated alloy.

' Immediately after quenching, this alloy may be formed over appreciably smaller radi..

98. HEAT TREATMENT OF ALUMINUM ALLOY PARTS. All structural aluminum alloy parts are to be heat-treated in accordance with the heattreatment instructions issued by the manufacturers of the materials. If the heat-treatment produces warping, straighten the parts immediately after quenching. Heat-treat riveted parts before riveting, to preclude warping and corrosion. When riveted assemblies are heated in a salt bath, the salt cannot be entirely Par 97 washed out of the crevices, thus causing cor sion.

a. Quenching in Hot Water or Air. Quench terial from the solution heat-treating temp ture as rapidly as possible, with a minir delay after removal from the furnace. Que ing in cold water is preferred, although drastic chilling (hot or boiling water blast) is sometimes employed for bulk

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AC 43.13-1A 1972 tions, such as forgings, to minimize quenching stresses.

b. Transferring Too Slowly From Heat-Treatment Medium to Quench Tank, Transfer of 2017 alloys from the heat-treatment medium to the quenchtank should be accomplished as quickly as possible. An elapsed time of 10 to 15 seconds will, in many cases, result in noticeably impaired corrosion resistance.

c. Keheating af Temperatures Above Boiling Wafer. Reheating of 2017 and 2024 alloys at temperatures above that of boiling water after heat treatment, and the baking of primers at temperatures above that of boiling water, will not be considered acceptable without subsequent complete and correct heat treatment, as such practice tends to impair the original heat treatment.

99. RIVETING.

a. Identification of Rivet Material. Identification of rivet material is contained in Chapter

b. Replacement of Aluminum Alloy Rivets. All rotruding head rivets (roundhead, flathead, nd brazier head) may be replaced by rivets of he same type or by AN-470 Universal head ivets. Use flushhead rivets to replace flushbead rivets.

c. Replacement Rivet Size and Strength. Relace rivets with those of the same size and trength whenever possible. If the rivet hole pecomes enlarged, deformed, or otherwise damaged, drill or ream the hole for the next large ize rivet; however, make sure that the edge stance and spacings are not less than miniams listed in the next paragraph. Rivets may be replaced by a type having lower ength properties, unless the lower strength dequately compensated by an increase in or a greater number of rivets.

Replacement Rivet-Edge Distances and ngs for Sheet Joints. Rivet-edge distance is ed as the distance from the center of the hole to the nearest edge of the sheet.

spacing is the distance from the center rivet hole to the center of the adjacent Page 51 rivet hole. The following prescribes the minimum edge distance and spacing:

(1) Single row-edge distance not less than 2 times the diameter of the rivet and spacing not less than 3 times the diameter of the rivet.

(2) Double row-edge distance and spacing not less than the minimums shown in figure

2.18.

(3) Triple or multiple rows-edge distance and spacing not less than the minimums shown in figure 2.18.

•. Use of 2117-T3 Aluminum Alloy Replacement Rivets. It is acceptable to replace 2017-18 rivets of 8/16-inch diameter or less, and 2024-T4 rivets of 5/82-inch diameter or less with 2117-T8 rivets for general repairs, provided the replacement rivets are 1/82 inch greater in diameter than the rivets they replace and the edge distances and spacing are not less than the minimums listed in the preceding paragraph.

f. Driving of Rivels. The 2117 rivets may be driven in the condition received, but 2017 rivets above 8/16 inch in diameter and all 2024 rivets are to be kept either refrigerated in the "quenched" condition until driven, or be reheat-treated just prior to driving, as they would otherwise be too hard for satisfactory riveting. Dimensions for formed flat rivet heads are shown in figure 2.19, together with commonly found rivet imperfections.

g. Blind-Type and Hollow Rivets. Do not substitute hollow rivets for solid rivets in loadcarrying members without specific approval of the application by a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Blind rivets may be used in blind locations in accordance with the conditions listed in Chapter 5, provided the edge distances and spacings are not less than the minimum listed in paragraph 99d.

h. New and Revised Rivet Patterns. Design a new or revised rivet pattern for the strength required in accordance with the specific instructions in paragraphs 100e and 100j.

A general rule for the diameter of rivets used to join dural sheets is to use a diameter ap- Par 98

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Page 52 AC 43.13-14 1972

STRENGTH THROUGH THIS SECTION IS 78% OF SHEET WITHOUT HOLES.

D* DIAMETER OF 4D RIVET (PREFER- ABLY ABOUT 3X

THICKNESS OF

THICKER SHEET) 2D LADN →20 (A) DOUBLE ROW

STRENGTH THROUGH THIS SECTION IS 83% OF SHEET WITHOUT HOLES.

6D 30 20- *20 (B) TRIPLE OR MULTIPLE ROWS FIOURE 2.18.-Rivet hole spacing and edge distance for single-lap sheet splices.

Par 99