Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2006B05714:body:0:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2006B05714
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 5700–7356

Directive, except for the Requirement 3 compliance.

            This Amendment becomes effective on 24 February 2000.

            Background:  There have been numerous reports of cracked PA-31 elevator spars. In several instances, both left and right elevator spars were cracked. In two instances the spar was completely severed, significantly reducing the elevator stiffness and introducing a risk of tailplane flutter.

            Amendment 1 removed the requirement to perform X-ray inspections. The visual inspection introduced maintains equivalent safety by mandating a simpler inspection that can be performed more frequently. A threshold for the inspection is also introduced, based on a survey of major defect reports. Figure 1 was revised to provide more guidance on the inspection location.

            Amendment 2 was issued in response to an FAA AD which introduces certain inspections and replacement of the elevators or elevator spar assemblies with parts of improved design, either at a certain time period or when cracks are found, whichever occurs first. The on-going repetitive visual inspection requirement of the previous issue of this Directive is retained as an option for operators.

            Amendment 3 is issued to clarify the intent of Compliance 3 and Compliance Note 3. Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 December 1999. The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 12 October 1995.

 Eugene Paul Holzapfel
 Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 12 January 2000

 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 January 2000.