Summary
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
On 23 November 2006, Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) Nr. (number) 2006-0351-E was published requiring an inspection to be performed on C-212 aeroplanes having been used for Maritime Patrol or other similar low altitude operations, due to the fact that, after initial examination of the evidences of a recent C-212 Maritime Patrol aircraft accident, cracks had been found in the centre wing lower skin at STA Y=1030. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had accumulated 17,000 flight hours and 7,300 flight cycles. The cracks were suspected to be caused by fatigue.
A more detailed examination inthe laboratory, led to think that the initiation of the fatigue cracks was produced by fretting, and EAD 2006-0365-E, superseding EAD 2006-0351-E, was published on 4 December 2006 to address the new situation.
Further examination in the laboratory has allowed to establish that crack initiation was due to fatigue and the fretting was posterior.
The above mentioned cracks, if not timely detected, could lead to reduced structural integrity of the aircraft.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.