AD 2023–26–03 Requires Installing Maneuver Restriction Placards In The Front And Rear Cockpits...

Summary: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Model 2T–1A–2 airplanes. 

This AD was prompted by reports of multiple types of cracks at the leading edge former ribs and trailing edge former ribs in the upper wing center section. This AD requires installing maneuver restriction placards in the front and rear cockpits, inspecting the leading and trailing edge former ribs for cracking, replacing any cracked ribs, modifying the upper wing center section assembly, and removing the maneuver restriction placards after completing the modification. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 certain WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Model 2T–1A–2 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 27, 2023 (88 FR 73780). The NPRM was prompted by reports of multiple types of cracks after low flight hours on WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Model 2T–1A–2 airplanes. 

The cracks were approximately 1 to 1.5 inches long and located in the leading edge former ribs and trailing edge former ribs in the upper wing center section, along the top flange where the ribs attach to the spar. Due to the cracking, the fabric support channels have come close to separating from the trailing edge former ribs. When fabric support channels detach from a rib, they would still be attached to the fabric, but the upper center wing airfoil may not maintain its shape due to the fabric support channels being pulled up by aerodynamic loads, which could lead to unexpected and unknown flight characteristics. The type certificate holder determined that this unsafe condition affects airplane serial numbers 1200 and subsequent with the upper wing center section assembly 30116–100 configuration. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require installing maneuver restriction placards in the front and rear cockpits, inspecting the leading and trailing edge former ribs for cracking, replacing any cracked ribs, modifying the upper wing center section assembly, and removing the maneuver restriction placards after completing the modification. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMI: www.regulations.gov