AD 72-18-03

72-18-03 BELLANCA: (Champion). Amdt. 39-1507. Applies to Model 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 7KCAB, and 8KCAB airplanes certificated in all categories.

Compliance required 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, until modified in accordance with paragraph (c) below. Compliance with paragraph (c) required no later than March 1, 1973.

To detect battery acid corrosion of elevator and rudder control cables and to detect corrosion of other airframe components in the battery area, accomplish the following:

a) Inspect the elevator and rudder control cables in the battery area for evidence of corrosion caused by battery acid spillage. If any evidence of control cable corrosion is found, replace the corroded cables before further flight, except that the airplane may be flown in accordancewith FAR 21.197 to a base where the repair can be performed.

b) Inspect the battery compartment area for evidence of battery acid corrosion of airframe components other than control cables. If any corrosion is found, neutralize the affected areas with a soda water solution. Repair damage, as necessary.

c) The repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (a) and (b) may be discontinued when a battery box which will assure that any battery acid spillage is drained overboard is installed in accordance with data approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Great Lakes Region. The battery box must be installed no later than March 1, 1973.

This amendment becomes effective September 1, 1972.