Summary
This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd. (ASTA) Models N22B, N22S, and N24A airplanes. The proposed action would require repetitively inspecting the horizontal stabilizer upper and lower skin, intercostal angles, and the horizontal stabilizer trailing edge channel for cracks; and repairing any cracks or replacing any cracked parts, as applicable. The proposed AD results from numerous reports of cracking in these horizontal stabilizer areas on the affected airplanes. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer caused by fatigue cracks, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.