SAIB CE-09-46

FAA Aircraft Certification Service

SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION BULLETIN SAIB: CE-09-46 SUBJ: Landing Gear, Nose Date: July 31, 2009 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin is being issued to alert owners and installers to an airworthiness concern regarding possible nose landing gear cracking on Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus) Models SR20 and SR22 airplanes.

The airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 39.

Background

The FAA is aware of two nose gear collapses that have occurred in Model SR20 airplanes used for training. Further examination of SR20 training airplanes has revealed cracking in the upper section of the nose gear assembly starting in the fillet weld between the top gusset plate and the attach point arms and moving downward through the attach point arms. On Model SR22 airplanes, no nose gear collapses have occurred to date (the nose gear design on the Model SR22 is significantly heavier and slightly different than the Model SR20). However, cracks have been found in the area of the cross tube weld and the gusset plate on the Model SR22.

Recommendations

We recommend that owners and operators of Cirrus Models SR20 and SR22 airplanes comply with CDC service bulletin numbers SB 2X-32-18 R4 and SB 2X-32-19, as applicable.

For Further Information Contact

Wesley Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Chicago Aircraft Certification, 2300 E. Devon, Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: (847) 294-8113; email: wess.rouse@faa.gov

For Related Service Information Contact

To obtain copies of Cirrus Optional Service Bulletins SB 2X-32-18 R4 or SB 2X-32-19, contact Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle Duluth, MN 5581-1548 or visit their website at www.cirruslink.com/mycirrus/servicepubs.aspx.