Recommends Joint Inspection, Replacement If Necessary

The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) directed towards owners and operators of Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. EA500 model series aircraft (under Type Certificate Data Sheet A00002AC) of an airworthiness concern. Specifically, this SAIB provides guidance for inspection of the aileron joints and replacement with redesigned parts.

For now, the FAA says this airworthiness concern has not been determined to be an unsafe condition that would require an AD to be issued.

The FAA says it has received reports of increased lateral stick force. Investigation determined that possible corrosion of the aileron joint assembly bearing or shaft resulted in aileron friction being out of tolerance. Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. has developed Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 500-27-004, Revision B. This bulletin provides instructions for performing inspections within 50 flight hours, and thereafter at every 100 flight hour intervals. The bulletin also provides instructions for replacing certain parts in the aileron system. Replacement of the parts in accordance with the alert service bulletin terminates the need for the repeat inspections.

This SAIB is being issued because the FAA continues to receive service difficulty reports that indicate the issue is continuing to be found on aircraft and the agency wants to increase awareness and compliance with the Eclipse alert service bulletin.

The FAA recommends the inspection of the ailerons at the time intervals and using the inspection procedures directed in Eclipse Alert Service Bulletin 500-27-004, Revision B, dated September 8, 2008. Inspections should continue until part replacement in accordance with paragraph 3.D. of the alert service bulletin.

FMI: SAIB