Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Sabreliner Model NA-265-40, NA- 265-50, NA-265-60, NA-265-70, and NA-265-80 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies in the front and rear spars of the wing in the area of the wing center section, and in the lugs on the rear spar and wing trailing edge panel rib, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would expand the applicability of the existing AD and require new repetitive inspections for fuel leaks of the front and rear spars of the wing, and for discrepancies in the front and rear spars of the wing in the area of the wing center section, and in the lugs on the rear spar and wing trailing edge panel rib. This proposed AD would also require related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of cracking in the upper and lower flanges of the front and rear spars of thewing near the wing center section, and in the lugs on the rear spar. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking or other discrepancies in these areas, which could result in structural failure of the wing.