Piper, Maule and Taylorcraft - Powder Coating of Aircraft Wing Struts
- Published
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Aircraft owners and maintenance personnel should inspect sealed wing lift struts at the next annual inspection for any vent holes or modifications that break the seal. They must document and externally mark any struts that are no longer sealed and follow FAA-approved procedures to reapply corrosion inhibitor and reseal the struts. Operators should monitor FAA communications for any updates to AD 99-01-05 regarding inspection requirements.
Summary
SAFO 10018 is a Safety Alert for Operators issued by the FAA addressing the powder coating of aircraft wing struts on Piper, Maule, and Taylorcraft airplanes. It highlights airworthiness concerns related to the powder coating process that involves drilling vent holes in sealed wing lift struts, which compromises their sealed condition and may affect compliance with Airworthiness Directive 99-01-05. The document warns that these modifications can degrade structural integrity and corrosion protection of the struts.
What changed
SAFO 10018 does not introduce a new regulation but informs operators of potential non-compliance with AD 99-01-05 due to vent holes drilled during powder coating. The FAA is considering revising AD 99-01-05 to clarify inspection requirements for struts that are no longer sealed. The alert emphasizes that vent holes and heat exposure from powder coating may necessitate repetitive inspections and corrosion control measures.
Why it matters
This alert matters because vent holes drilled for powder coating can invalidate the terminating action of AD 99-01-05, requiring repetitive inspections to ensure safety. Operators, maintenance personnel, and compliance teams must be aware that undetected corrosion or cracks in wing lift struts could lead to catastrophic failure such as wing separation. Proper identification and maintenance of sealed struts are critical to maintaining airworthiness and flight safety.
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