AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ROBIN/8 Amdt 2 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes
AD/ROBIN/8 Amdt 3
Wing Structure and Fuselage Attachment
6/2008
 
Applicability:
All Model R 2100, R 2100 A, R 2112, and R 2160 D aircraft, serial numbers 001 through 378.
Model 2160 aircraft, serial numbers 001 through 378, and serial numbers
160A-06001 and subsequent.
Model 2160i aircraft, serial numbers 001 through 378, and serial numbers
160Ai-07007 and subsequent.

Requirement:
1.    Disassemble the wings from the fuselage and inspect the wing structure and assembly components, in accordance with Instruction No. 1 in Robin Aviation Service Bulletin (SB) No. 123 Revision 3.
If any defects are evident, before further flight, repair in accordance with SB
No. 123 Revision 3.
2.    Inspect the wing-to-fuselage retaining bolts in accordance with Instruction No. 2 in SB No. 123 Revision 3.
The fitting of new bolts cancels the requirement to accomplish non-destructive testing of the bolts.
3.    Check the wing-to-fuselage retaining torque setting in accordance with Instruction No. 3 in SB No. 123 Revision 3.
Note:  NZ CAA AD DCA/R2000/28A refers.

Compliance:
1.a. For aircraft with less than 3,500 hours total time in service:
At 3,500 hours total time in service, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 750 hours time in service.

 
 
 
 
 
1.b. For aircraft with more than 3,500 hours total time in service and less than 4,000 hours total time in service:
Unless the initial inspection is already accomplished, within 100 hours time in service after 5 June 2008.  Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 750 hours time in service.
1.c. For aircraft with more than 4,000 hours total time in service:
Within 100 hours time in service after 5 June 2008, if the special instruction in paragraph E of SB No. 123 Revision 2 has not been accomplished.  Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 750 hours time in service; or,
Within 750 hours time in service after 5 June 2008, if the special instruction in paragraph E of SB No. 123 Revision 2 has been accomplished.  Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 750 hours time in service.
2.    Within 3,500 hours time since new or 3,500 hours time in service after fitting new bolts, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 750 hours time in service.
3.    Within 50 hours time in service after re-assembling the wing, and thereafter at intervals no to exceed 100 hours time in service.

 
This Amendment becomes effective on 5 June 2008.

Background:
The inspection of the wing attachment fittings superseded the retirement life requirement of AD/ROBIN/6, which was cancelled.
Amendment 1 extended the existing inspection threshold and interval for the wing attachment fitting, mandated the manufacturer’s wing general inspection, and specified a wing service life limit.
Amendment 2 added requirements for replacement and inspection of the wing attachment hardware, as a result of the in-flight separation of a wing on a French R2160 aircraft.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amendment 3 is issued to align this Directive with NZ CAA AD DCA/R2000/28A.  Alpha Aviation manufactured Model R 2160i aircraft are included in applicability.  Investigations into the cause of the previously reported attachment bolt damage are continuing.  It is anticipated that design changes will be incorporated into Alpha Aviation aircraft to alleviate this maintenance requirement.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
16 April 2008