AD 2008-12-13

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 23, 2008.

(b) None.

(c) This AD applies to Models F22B, F22C, and F22R airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 71: Power Plant-General.

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

ENAC Italy AD 2004-376 was issued in response to two separate reports of cracks found in the Firewall-to-Engine mounting attachments. Detachment of the engine mounts from the structure is the possible consequence. Although the actual cause has not been finally determined, some repairs have been approved to address and correct the unsafe condition.

This new AD, which supersedes ENAC Italy AD 2004-376, retains the initial inspection requirement, adds repetitive inspections and clarifies the conditions under which aircraft that have been repaired by an approved method can be allowed to return to service.

The MCAI requires you to repetitively inspect the structure surrounding the heads of the four bolts of the engine mount attachment bracket for cracks or damages and repair any cracks or damages found as a result of the inspection.

(f) Do the following actions:

(1) Unless already done within the last 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) before July 23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), before further flight and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspect the structure surrounding the heads of the four bolts of the engine mount attachment bracket, approaching from the cabin of the aircraft in the zone below the instrument panel. In case the indicated area (in particular for the upper bolts) is not visible due to equipment presence (relay, cooling fan, and so forth), remove all of the upper right-hand panel and part of the left-hand panel of the fireproof bulkhead to approach the area to be inspected through the engine compartment. In this case the use of a small mirror is necessary.

(2) If as a result of any inspection required by paragraphs (f)(1) of this AD you find any discrepancies (for example, cracked or broken parts), do one of the following actions before further flight:

(i) Repair the aircraft following Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH General Avia F22 Modification 15328 Repair Instructions, dated September 10, 2007; or

(ii) Repair the aircraft following a repair method approved by the FAA for this AD.

(3) If you repair the aircraft as specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this AD, repetitively thereafter inspect the aircraft at intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS following the instructions in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. If as a result of these repetitive inspections you find any discrepancies, prior to further flight, repair the aircraft following Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH General Avia F22 Modification 15328 Repair Instructions, dated September 10, 2007.

(4) If you repair the aircraft as specified in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this AD, repetitively thereafter inspect the aircraft using the repetitive inspection interval established by the FAA-approved repair method used. Follow the inspection instruction in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. If as a result of the inspection you find any discrepancies, repair before further flight following a repair method approved by the FAA for this AD.

Note:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2008-0015, dated January 18, 2008; and Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH General Avia F22 Modification 15328 Repair Instructions, dated September 10, 2007, for related information.

(i) You must use Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH General Avia F22 Modification 15328 Repair Instructions, dated September 10, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH, Eisenwerkstrasse 9; D-58332 Schwelm, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: +49 (0)2336 490 332; fax: +49 (0)2336 490 339; e-mail: info@Gomolzig.de.

(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.