Fri, Jul 03, 2009
Issues Concerning Horizontal Stabilizers
The FAA has issues a Special
Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) for owners and operators
of True Flight Aerospace LLC (Grumman American) Model AA-5
airplanes (Traveler, Cheetah, Tiger), of an issue concerning the
horizontal stabilizer forward spar attachment and surrounding
structure in the aft fuselage area.
At this time, this airworthiness concern is not an unsafe
condition that would warrant AD action.
During a routine inspection, maintenance personnel found cracked
and deformed structure in the aft fuselage area including
horizontal stabilizer forward spar attachment structure, spar
support angles, and stiffeners. While there are no previous reports
of similar damage in the AA-5 airplanes, there have been reports
for the AA-5A and AA-5B models. In 2003, the FAA issued SAIB
CE-04-34 to inform owners of this potential issue on the AA-5A and
AA-5B models and the SAIB included an inspection of this area of
the airplane. In 2003, the type certificate owner issued an update
to the maintenance manual to add instructions for this inspection
for the AA-5A and AA-5B airplanes.
There are currently no clear instructions in the
maintenance manual for inspecting this area of the AA-5 model.
The FAA encourages owners and
maintenance personnel to perform detailed visual inspections of the
horizontal stabilizer forward spar attachment structure, and
surrounding area, of the AA-5 airplanes at the following times:
- At every annual/100 hour inspection.
- After hard landings, tail strikes, or any other notable impact
or force in tail area.
The FAA recommends that the maintenance manuals for the airplane
be consulted for more information. True Flight Aerospace informed
the FAA that the basic inspection points should be applicable to
all of the AA-5 series models.
More News
Airport Marking Aids Markings used on runway and taxiway surfaces to identify a specific runway, a runway threshold, a centerline, a hold line, etc. A runway should be marked in ac>[...]
"It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for manned aircraft to see a drone while conducting crop-enhancing and other aerial applications at low altitudes and high speeds. We>[...]
Aero Linx: The Skyhawk Association The Skyhawk Association is a non-profit organization founded by former Skyhawk Pilots which is open to anyone with an affinity for the A-4 Skyhaw>[...]
“The T-54A benefits from an active Beechcraft King Air assembly line in Wichita, Kansas, where all required METS avionics and interior modifications are installed on the line>[...]
Aero Linx: Aerostar Owners Association The Association offers the Aerostar Owner a unique opportunity to tap an invaluable source of information concerning the care and feeding of >[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (04.28.24): Airport Marking Aids
See All