EASA AD US-2018-11-02: Flight Controls - Aileron Control Rod Assembly - Inspection

What to do

Affected operators must perform a borescope inspection of the aileron control rod assembly within three days of May 23, 2018, to determine if the load-carrying threads are present. If the inspection reveals assemblies lacking the required threads, those assemblies must be replaced with serviceable parts immediately. Operators should also submit any comments on the AD by July 9, 2018, as invited by the FAA.

Summary

Federal Register Volume 83, Number 100, Airworthiness Directive 2018-11-02 issued by the FAA addresses Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 188A and 188C airplanes, including various P-3 series variants such as CP-140, NP-3A, P3A, P-3A, P3B, P-3B, P-3C, P-3P, and WP-3D. This directive mandates a borescope inspection of the aileron control rod assembly to verify the presence of load-carrying threads and requires corrective actions if discrepancies are found. The AD aims to ensure the structural integrity and safe operation of the aileron control system on affected aircraft.

What changed

This new airworthiness directive introduces a mandatory inspection procedure for the aileron control rod assembly, specifically targeting part number 826999-3, which was found to be incorrectly machined without the necessary load-carrying threads. It requires operators to perform a borescope inspection within three days of the effective date and replace any assemblies found to be discrepant. The AD also clarifies the timeline for compliance, differing from the manufacturer's recommendation by allowing a short grace period for inspection.

Why it matters

This AD is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a significant safety risk involving potential loss of aileron control due to improperly machined control rod assemblies. For operators and maintenance organizations, compliance ensures continued airworthiness and prevents possible in-flight control failures that could lead to loss of aircraft control. Understanding and implementing this directive promptly is essential to maintain regulatory compliance and flight safety.