EASA SIB CE-16-03
Cessna (incl. formerly Reims Aviation) 150/152 Aeroplanes — Aft Fin Attachment Fitting
Summary
The Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin SAIB: CE-16-03 is an FAA informational bulletin addressing concerns about cracked aft fin attachment fittings on Cessna (including formerly Reims Aviation) 150/152 aeroplanes produced from 1966 to 1986. It specifically references part numbers 0431009-1, -2, and -3 affecting various Cessna 150 and 152 model series. The bulletin provides updated inspection guidance but does not mandate regulatory action.
What Changed
This bulletin updates the inspection procedures for the aft fin attachment fitting on affected Cessna 150 and 152 models by referencing revised Cessna Supplemental Inspection Documents (SIDs) with May 18, 2015 revision dates. It consolidates previous service bulletins and FAA maintenance alerts into a current recommendation for repetitive inspections using visual and eddy current methods.
Why It Matters
This information is important for aviation professionals because cracking in the aft fin attachment fitting can compromise the structural integrity of the vertical tail, especially in aerobatic operations. Timely and repetitive inspections help prevent potential safety issues and ensure continued airworthiness of these widely used training and general aviation aircraft.
What To Do
Owners, operators, and maintenance personnel should perform visual and eddy current inspections of the aft fin attachment fittings, part numbers 0431009-1, -2, and -3, at 100-hour intervals following the procedures in the applicable Cessna SIDs updated in May 2015. Inspections may be coordinated with compliance to AD 80-11-04 to optimize maintenance efforts.