AD 2020-10-03: Prompted By In-Flight Structural Failure Of A Wing On A Weatherly Model 620B Airplane

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Weatherly Aircraft Company (Weatherly) Models 201, 201A, 201B, 201C, 620, 620A, 620B, 620B-TG, and 620TP airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracking of the center wing and outer wing spar hinge brackets due to corrosion pitting. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the wing hinge brackets, pins, and wing spar structure with repair or replacement of parts as necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 15, 2020.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Weatherly Models 201, 201A, 201B, 201C, 620, 620A, 620B, 620B-TG, and 620TP airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2018 (83 FR 47116). The NPRM was prompted by notification the FAA received in 2015 of a fatal accident caused by the in-flight structural failure of a wing on a Weatherly Model 620B airplane. The accident investigation found multiple fatigue cracks in the center wing front spar lower hinge bracket. As a result of operator inspections, a cracked hinge bracket in the center wing to outer wing joint was also reported on a different airplane. The hinge bracket from the second report had completely failed, and the airplane was relying on the second failsafe hinge bracket to carry the wing loads.

To correct this unsafe condition, the FAA issued AD 2016-07-11 (81 FR 18461, March 31, 2016) (“AD 2016-07-11”), which requires a one-time visual inspection of the center and outer wing front spar lower hinge brackets for cracks and corrosion and corrective action as necessary. AD 2016- 07-11 also requires sending a report of the inspection results to the FAA.

Since the FAA issued AD 2016-07-11, Weatherly has issued new service information for repetitive visual and detailed inspections. Since the cause of the fatigue cracks were attributed to corrosion pits on the accident airplane, the NPRM proposed to require those repetitive visual and detailed inspection actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The NPRM incorrectly stated that Weatherly had developed improved center wing hinge brackets manufactured from corrosion resistant material. The FAA has learned that those improved brackets were not developed or approved. Therefore, improved brackets are not currently available to correct the unsafe condition.

FMI: www.regulations.gov