SAIB CE-02-45

SPECIAL

AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION

BULLETIN Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration No. CE-02-45 September 10, 2002 We post SAIBs on the internet at "av-info.faa.gov" This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you, an owner or operator of AERMACCHI S.p.A. (SIAI Marchetti or Agusta S.p.A.) S205-18/R, S205-20/R, S205-22/R, S208 and S208A airplanes, that AERMACCHI S.p.A. has issued mandatory alert service bulletin (SB) 205B-63 dated July 11, 2002. The SB provides a revised procedure for rigging the control rods on the nose landing gear (NLG) and the main landing gear (MLG). This SB also provides precautions necessary to maintain these rods in a safe condition.

Background AerMacchi issued this service bulletin because an event of an uncontrolled retraction of the NLG occurred during the landing of an S205-20R airplane. After investigation of this incident, AerMacchi determined that the control rod installation and rigging procedures needed to be changed. According to the SB 205B-63, the compliance time of this action is at the next 50-flight hour inspection and not later than December 31, 2002.

Recommendation We strongly recommend owners/operators of AERMACCHI S.p.A. S205-18/R, S205-20/R, S205-22/R, S208 and S208A airplanes consider the change to the control rod installation and rigging procedures as specified in SB 205B-63, to be accomplished as soon as possible.

For Further Information Contact Doug Rudolph, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE 112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106, telephone (816) 329-4059, fax (816) 329-4090.

Copies of AERMACCHI service bulletin 205B-63 can be obtained from AERMACCHI S.p.A., 21040 Venegono Superiore – Via Ing. Paolo Foresio, 1 (Italy); telephone 39 0331 813 111;

fax: 39 0331 827 595 or 39 0331 813 450.