AD 2020-18-01 Was Prompted By Cracks Found In The Lower Area Of The Forward Cabin Doorpost Bulkhead

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 172N, 172P, 172Q, 172RG, F172N, F172P, FR172K, R172K, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, 182R, T182, F182P, F182Q, FR182, R182, TR182, 206, P206, P206A, P206B, P206C, P206D, P206E, TP206A, TP206B, TP206C, TP206D, TP206E, U206, U206A, U206B, U206C, U206D, U206E, U206F, U206G, TU206A, TU206B, TU206C, TU206D, TU206E, TU206F, TU206G, 207, 207A, T207, T207A, 210-5 (205), 210-5A (205A), 210B, 210C, 210D, 210E, 210F, and T210F airplanes.

This AD was prompted by cracks found in the lower area of the forward cabin doorpost bulkhead. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the lower area of the forward cabin doorposts at the strut attach fitting for cracks and repairing any cracks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 12, 2020.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 172N, 172P, 172Q, 172RG, F172N, F172P, FR172K, R172K, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, 182R, T182, F182P, F182Q, FR182, R182, TR182, 206, P206, P206A, P206B, P206C, P206D, P206E, TP206A, TP206B, TP206C, TP206D, TP206E, U206, U206A, U206B, U206C, U206D, U206E, U206F, U206G, TU206A, TU206B, TU206C, TU206D, TU206E, TU206F, TU206G, 207, 207A, T207, T207A, 210-5 (205), 210-5A (205A), 210B, 210C, 210D, 210E, 210F, and T210F airplanes. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on May 29, 2020 (85 FR 32308).

The FAA preceded the SNPRM with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2018 (83 FR 4605). The NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks in the lower area of the forward cabin doorpost bulkhead on more than four dozen Textron 100 and 200 airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require repetitively inspecting the lower area of the forward cabin doorposts at the strut attach fitting for cracks and repairing any cracks found by modifying the area with the applicable service kit. The SNPRM proposed to modify the estimated costs of the proposed AD, the repetitive inspection intervals, and the credit allowed for previous actions; clarify the inspection instructions for airplanes with the service kit installed; correct the contact information for obtaining the service information; and add a reporting requirement to collect the inspection results. The SNPRM also changed some of the model designations listed in the applicability in order to match the models as they are listed in the type certificate data sheet.

The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address cracking of the wing strut attach point. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the wing in operation, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

FMI: www.regulations.gov