AD 63-11-02

63-11-02 GENERAL DYNAMICS/CONVAIR: Amdt. 567 Part 507 Federal Register May 15, 1963. Applies to All Models 340 and 440 Aircraft Incorporating a Menasco Main Landing Gear Torque Arm Apex Bolt (Menasco P/N 528076) That Has a 0.67 Inch Fillet Relief Diameter.

Compliance required as indicated.

As a result of cracking in the fillet relief diameter and complete failures of the Menasco main landing gear torque arm apex bolt (Menasco P/N 528076) that has a 0.67 inch fillet relief diameter, the following shall be accomplished:

(a) Within the next 250 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD unless already accomplished within the last 300 hours' time in service, and thereafter at periods not to exceed 550 hours' time in service from the last inspection, inspect the bolt by a dye penetrant method or an FAA approved equivalent method. Replace a cracked bolt with an uncracked apex bolt (Menasco P/N 528076) before further flight and continue the repetitive inspection.

(b) The inspections specified in (a) may be discontinued when a redesigned bolt (Menasco P/N 528076) that has a 0.79 inch fillet relief diameter is installed. All of the redesigned bolts that are installed shall have an "R" stamped on one end.

(c) Upon request of the operator, an FAA maintenance inspector, subject to prior approval of the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA Western Region, may adjust the repetitive inspection intervals specified in this AD to permit compliance at an established inspection period of the operator if the request contains substantiating data to justify the increase for such operator.

NOTE: An apex bolt of improved design was made available by Menasco in 1957 for operational use and spares. The redesigned bolt and the original bolt bear the same part number, but differ in fillet relief diameter. The original apex bolt has 0.67 inch fillet diameter and the redesigned apex bolt a 0.79 inch fillet relief diameter.

(GeneralDynamics/Convair Service Engineering Report 6820-340-46/440-46 dated August 28, 1962, covers this same subject.)

This directive effective June 14, 1963.