# AD 49-43-02: Stabilizer Spar Inspection

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Don Luscombe Aviation History Foundation 8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F and T-8F
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Registered aircraft: 1,458 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/B8BF08CBF04DD3A686256A380063D021.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/49-43-02

## The airworthiness directive

49-43-02 LUSCOMBE: Applies to All Model 8 Series Aircraft.

Compliance required before December 15, 1949, or at the next 100-hour inspection whichever occurs first.

As a result of several cases of excessive tightening of the attachment bolts for the stabilizer-fuselage front fittings thereby crushing the spacers and spar flanges, the following inspections and/or replacement are necessary:

Inspect for crushing of the stabilizer front spar and the aluminum alloy reinforcing spacers. A slight set in the spar flange is not considered critical as long as no cracks exist in the spar.

If appreciable crushing of the spar flange or cracks are found, the spar must be repaired and the aluminum alloy reinforcing spacers must be replaced. If spacers are crushed, they must be replaced.

Spacers should be replaced with similar spacers fabricated of 4130 steel of at least 0.049- inch thickness and may be attached to the spar using blind rivets the same size as the originalrivets. An acceptable alternate replacement spacer may be made by cutting a 3/8-inch by 0.049- inch steel tube to fit between the spar flanges. The steel spacers should be zinc-chromated prior to the reassembly.

Excessive tightening of the attachment bolts should be avoided on reassembly. (A torque value of 50 to 75 inch-pounds should be sufficient.)

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A-694](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-694): Luscombe Aircraft Corporation; names 8 of 8 models: 8, 8D, 8A, 8F, 8B, 8E, 8C, T-8F

## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs)

Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- Aircraft: 1,458 (1,458 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Luscombe 1,445, Silvaire 10, Luscombe/Pedersen 1, Luscombe/Ranger Avia 1, Luscombe/Wilder 1

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a): 897 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Luscombe 8E](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8e): 326 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Luscombe 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8f): 119 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Luscombe 8C](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8c): 37 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Luscombe T-8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-t-8f): 25 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Luscombe 8B](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8b): 16 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Luscombe 8D](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8d): 14 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Luscombe 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8): 11 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Silvaire 8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/silvaire-8f): 10 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Luscombe/Wilder 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-wilder-8a): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Luscombe/Ranger Avia 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-ranger-avia-8a): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Luscombe/Pedersen T-8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-pedersen-t-8f): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 13 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/49-43-02/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/49-43-02/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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