# AD 79-03-06: Rudder Assembly

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: SOCATA - Groupe Aerospatiale GA-7
- Effective: February 15, 1979
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Amendment: 39-3408
- Registered aircraft: 44 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/FC435A576A611A7F86256A38005EA803.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/79-03-06

## The airworthiness directive

79-03-06 GULFSTREAM AMERICAN CORPORATION (GAC) (Formerly Grumman American Aviation Corporation): Amendment 39-3408. Applies to GAC Model GA-7 serial numbers GA7-0002 through GA7-0038, GA7-0040, and GA7-0042 through GA7-0087, airplanes certificated in all categories.

Compliance is required as indicated, unless already accomplished.

To prevent partial loss of rudder control, accomplish the following within 10 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD:

1. Inspect and modify the rudder assembly as appropriate in accordance with GAC Service Bulletin ME-16 dated January 31, 1979, or later revision approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Southern Region.

  (a) If freeplay exceeds the maximum allowed in Service Bulletin ME-16 (.040 inches or 1 degree), modify the rudder assembly in accordance with this bulletin before further flight; however, if the freeplay does not exceed .080 inches or 2 degrees, the aircraft may be flown toa base for repairs in accordance with FAR 21.197.

  (b) If the freeplay is .040 inches (1 degree) or less, modify the rudder system in accordance with Service Bulletin ME-16 within 100 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD.

2. An equivalent method of compliance may be used if approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Southern Region.

This amendment is effective February 15, 1979.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A17SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A17SO): Cougar Aircraft Corporation; names 1 of 1 models: GA-7

## 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: 44 (44 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Grumman American Avn. 43, Gulfstream American 1

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Grumman American Avn. GA-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-ga-7): 43 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Gulfstream American GA-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-american-ga-7): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 2 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/79-03-06/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/79-03-06/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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