AD 2013-16-01

(AD): 2013-16-01 Beechcraft Corporation and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation: Amendment 39-17539; Docket No. FAA-2012-1180; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-032-AD.

This AD is effective September 24, 2013.

None.

This AD applies to Beechcraft Corporation (type certificate previously held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation) Models 58, 95-C55, E55, and 56TC airplanes; and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Models 58P and 58TC airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. Both type certificates previously held by Raytheon Aircraft Company.

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 2730: Elevator Balance Weight.

This AD was prompted by reports of elevator balance weights becoming loose or failing because the balance weight material was under strength and did not meet material specifications. We are issuing this AD to correct this unsafe condition, which could result in reduced flutter speed and lead to loss of control.

Comply with paragraphs (g) through (i), including all subparagraphs, of this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(1) For Model 58 airplanes, serial numbers TH-1768 through TH-2110, before further flight after September 24, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), review the airplane maintenance records to determine if either of the elevator balance weights have ever been replaced. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate is allowed to do this action.

(i) If, as a result of the maintenance records check, you positively identify that one or both of the elevator balance weights have never been replaced, then complete all of the actions in paragraph (h) and (i), all subparagraphs, as applicable in this AD.

(ii) If, as a result of the maintenance records check, you identify both balance weights have been replaced and you can positively identify by means of an Airworthiness Approval Tag (FAA Form 8130-3) or other positive form of parts identification such as a shipping ticket, invoice, or direct ship authority letter, that the purchase date from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (also known as Raytheon Aircraft Company or Beechcraft Corporation) on both balance weights is outside the date range of January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2005, then no further action is required for this AD.

(iii) For a replaced balance weight, if you cannot positively identify the date of purchase of a balance weight from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (also known as Raytheon Aircraft Company or Beechcraft Corporation), then you must complete all of the actions in paragraph (h) and (i), all subparagraphs, as applicable in this AD.

(2) For Model 58 airplanes, all serial numbers (except TH-1768 through TH-2110), and Models 58TC, 58P, 95-C55, E55, and 56TC airplanes, all serial numbers, before further flight after September 24, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) review the airplane maintenance records to determine if the elevator balance weights have ever been replaced. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate is allowed to do this action.

(i) If, as a result of the maintenance records check, you positively identify that both of the elevator balance weights have never been replaced, then no further action is required for this AD. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate is allowed to do this action.

(ii) If, as a result of the maintenance records check, you identify that one or both of the balance weights have been replaced and you can positively identify by means of an Airworthiness Approval Tag (FAA Form 8130-3) or other positive form of parts identification such as a shipping ticket, invoice, or direct ship authority letter, that the purchase date from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (also known as Raytheon Aircraft Company or Beechcraft Corporation) is outside the date range of January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2005, then no further action is required for this AD.

(iii) If you cannot positively identify the date of purchase of an aircraft balance weight from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (also known as Raytheon Aircraft Company or Beechcraft Corporation), then you must perform all of the actions in paragraph (h) and (i), all subparagraphs, as applicable in this AD.

Before further flight after September 24, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) until the replacement required by this AD is done, inspect the elevator balance weights for looseness, failure, and/or working (smoking) fasteners and inserts following the Accomplishment Instructions paragraph 3.A in Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 55-4089, Revision 1, dated February, 2012.

(1) Replace the defective elevator balance weight with an airworthy balance weight as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions paragraph 3.A in Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 55-4089, Revision 1, dated February, 2012, at either paragraph (i)(1)(i) or (i)(1)(ii) of this AD, whichever occurs first:

(i) Before further flight after any inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD where any looseness, failure, and/or working (smoking) fasteners and inserts are found; or

(ii) Within the next 200 hours TIS after September 24, 2013 (the effective date of this AD).

(2) Replacement of elevator balance weights with airworthy elevator balance weights terminates the 100-hour inspection requirement in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(3) As of September 24, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do not install P/N 96-610022, P/N 96-61022-5, P/N 96-610022-7, and P/N 96-610022-9 elevator balance weight assemblies, if originally purchased from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (also known as Raytheon Aircraft Company or Beechcraft Corporation) between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2005, on any airplane.

Special flight is permitted with the following limitations: Maximum structural cruising speed (V no) = Design Speed for maximum gust intensity (V b) = 195 Knots Calibrated Airspeed (KCAS), or V no =V b =195KCAS. This special flight is not allowed into known turbulence, and the duration of this flight should not be more than a total of 10 hours TIS.

(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.

For more information about this AD, contact T. N. Baktha, Senior Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4155; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: t.n.baktha@faa.gov.

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

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 55-4089, Revision 1, dated February, 2012.

(ii) Reserved.

(3) For Beechcraft Corporation and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation service information identified in this AD, contact Beechcraft Corporation, B091-A04, 10511 E. Central Ave., Wichita, Kansas 67206; telephone: 1 (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140; fax: (316) 676-8027; email: tmdc@beechcraft.com; or Internet: http://www.beechcraft.com/customer_support/technical_and_field_support/.

(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference 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.