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/CESSNA 400/102 Amdt 3 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.
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes

AD/CESSNA 400/102 Amdt 4

Elevator Forward Spar

10/2005
 
Applicability:
Model 425, serial numbers 425-0002 through 425-0236; Model 441, serial numbers 441-0001 through 441-0362, and 441-698.
Requirement:
1.    Inspect the elevator forward spar, near the outboard hinge bracket, in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin (SB) CQB 93-1, Para. 1. 2.    Inspect the rivets which attach the outboard hinge bracket to the upper and lower elevator skin for evidence of shearing. 3.    Lubricate the elevator outboard hinge bearing in accordance with Cessna Service News Letter SNL86-28. Note:  Rivets may be sheared even though the heads and tails of the rivets do not appear loose.  Check by observing for rivet movement while gentle up and down loading is applied at tip of elevator.
Compliance:
1.    Inspect in accordance with Requirement 1 within 50 hours time in service after 27 April 1995, or within 100 hours time in service since last inspected in accordance with this Directive or AD/CESSNA 400/99, whichever occurs later.  Thereafter, inspect at intervals not to exceed 110 hours time in service. 2.    Initially inspect in accordance with Requirement 2 within 100 hours time in service after 27 April 1995.  Re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 110 hours time in service. 3.    Lubricate the outboard elevator hinge in accordance with Requirement 3 at intervals not to exceed 610 hours time in service or 18 months, whichever occurs first. The compliance times of the previous issue of this Directive remain unchanged by this issue.
 
This Amendment becomes effective on 29 September 2005.
   
Background:
Cracking has been found in the elevator forward spar in the area of the outboard hinge bracket.  The condition may be aggravated by stiff elevator hinge bearings, however, cracks may otherwise still occur. Amendment 1 added the Reims/Cessna F406. Amendment 2 incorporated the repeat inspections of cancelled AD/CESSNA 400/99, at a reduced frequency, and extended the repeat inspections to cover models F406 and 425. Amendment 3 was issued as a result of the transfer of Model F406 aircraft to the Reims Aviation F406 Series. Amendment 4 is issued to facilitate scheduling of maintenance with the manufacturer’s schedule of maintenance. Amendment 3 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 1 November 2001. Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 27 April 1995. The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 30 June 1993.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 August 2005