AD 97-07-13

97-07-13 CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-9987. Docket 96-NM-127-AD. Applicability: Model CN-235 series airplanes; as listed in CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21M, Revision 1, dated November 21, 1994 (military airplanes), and CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21, Revision 3, dated November 30, 1994 (non-military airplanes); certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressedby this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent fatigue from causing the center wing attachment rods to fail, which consequently could reduce the structural integrity of the wing-to-fuselage attachment, accomplish the following:

(a) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total landings, replace center wing attachment rods having CASA part number (P/N) 35-22058-0003 or 35-22067-0001 with new rods having CASA P/N 35-22067-0003, in accordance with CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21M, Revision 1, dated November 21, 1994 (for military airplanes); or CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21, Revision 3, dated November 30, 1994 (for non-military airplanes); as applicable.

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53- 21M, Revision 1, dated November 21, 1994; or CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21, Revision 3, dated November 30, 1994; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on May 12, 1997.