Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 208 and 208B Airplanes

Abstract

This document proposes to revise Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-22-17, which currently requires you to repetitively inspect the inboard forward flap bellcranks for cracks and eventually replace these bellcranks on all Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 208 and 208B airplanes. AD 2002-22-17 resulted from Cessna re-evaluating the bellcrank life limit analysis and determining that the original estimate is too high. Since FAA issued AD 2002-22-17, Cessna has designed a new flap bellcrank with a life limit of 40,000 landings (instead of 7,000 landings). This proposed AD would retain the requirement that you repetitively inspect the inboard forward flap bellcranks for cracks and eventually replace these bellcranks and would provide the option of installing the new design flap bellcrank to increase the life limits and terminate the repetitive inspections. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect, correct, and prevent future cracks in the bellcrank, which could result in failure of this part. Such failure could lead to damage to the flap system and surrounding structure and result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane.