Wed, Jun 01, 2005
Deadline For Submissions: June 4th
The FAA has turned to
members of associations like EAA Warbirds of America and type clubs
to gather information relating to T-6 aircraft in the wake of a fatal accident caused by an apparent wing
failure in Florida on May 9, reported on extensively by
ANN.
At issue are potential wing failures on the vintage advanced
primary WWII trainers following the fatal crash of an SNJ-6 owned
and operated by Warbird Adventures in Kissimmee. Preliminary
examination of the wreckage shows a fatigue crack on the inboard
lower center wing attach angle, which initiated in the radius of
the angle.
The FAA says it has learned of a similar accident in 1975 on a
South African Air Force aircraft. The SAAF ordered immediate and
subsequent 200-hour penetrant inspections of the wing attach
angles,. The FAA is considering adopting the 200-hour
inspections.
This situation may also have an impact on future airworthiness
issues for other vintage aircraft types.
FAA's Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) asks its Safety
Engineers to coordinate their airworthiness concerns with T-6
owner/operators through associations and type clubs. They're
seeking information about maintenance history of the critical parts
involved (inboard lower center wing attach angle), as well as
proposed alternative inspection/repair procedures and their
associated costs.
Owners/operators are also asked to provide any other specific
comments they feel are necessary, including specific examples to
illustrate comments/concerns.
FAA has not determined what type if corrective action should be
taken, be it an Airworthiness Directive or a Special Airworthiness
Information Bulletin (SAIB), or the FAA could determine that no
action is needed at this time. Final determination will depend in
part on the information received in response to the ACS.
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