AD 72-16-04

72-16-04 SIAI-MARCHETTI: Amendment 39-1488. Applies to Siai Marchetti Models S.205-18/R, S.205-20/R, and S.205-22/R airplanes, Serial Numbers 106 through 239.

Compliance required as indicated unless already accomplished.

To detect and prevent cracks in the nose gear drag link assembly, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 10 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the last 15 hours' time in service, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours' time in service from the last inspection, visually inspect the tubes and welded areas of the nose gear articulated drag brace rear link, P/N 205-9-142-03, using a magnifying glass of 5 power or more. If indications of cracks are found, strip the paint from the area and reinspect using a magnifying glass of 5 power or more.

(b) If any cracks or breaks are found during the inspections required by paragraph (a), before further flight, remove the nose gear dragbrace assembly, P/N 205-9-142-01, and accomplish one of the following:

(1) Install reinforced nose gear dray brace assembly, P/N 205-9-142-05 or P/N 205-9-142-09, in accordance with SIAI-Marchetti Service Bulletin No. 205B12A, dated January 21, 1972, or an FAA-approved equivalent; or

(2) Comply with subparagraph (i) or (ii), as applicable, in accordance with SIAI-Marchetti Service Instruction No. 205SI-16, dated March 29, 1972, or an FAA-approved equivalent.

(i) For Model S.205-18/R and -20/R airplanes, install press formed nose gear drag brace assembly, P/N 205-9-142-103.

(ii) For Model S.205-22/R airplanes, install press formed nose gear drag brace assembly, P/N 205-9-142-103, and replace the bellcrank, P/N 205-6-062-03, with bellcrank, P/N 205-6-062-107.

(c) The repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) may be discontinued when a reinforced or press formed nose gear drag brace assembly is installed in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2)(i) for Models S.205-18/R and -20/R airplanes, or when a reinforced nose gear drag brace assembly is installed in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) or a press formed nose gear drag brace assembly and a bellcrank, P/N 205-6-062-107, are installed in accordance with paragraph (b)(2)(ii) for the Model S.205-22/R airplanes.

This amendment becomes effective July 25, 1972.