Wings - Attachment Fittings

1

FAA Aircraft Certification Service SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SAIB: CE-08-47 SUBJ: Wings - Attachment Fittings Date: September 9, 2008 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin advises you, aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel, of an airworthiness concern on certain Helio Aircraft LLC (Helio) Models H- 250, H-295, HT-295, H-391, H-391B, H-395, H-395A, H-700, and H-800.airplanes.

Background

Evidence indicates corrosion pitting may lead to fatigue cracks in the forward wing spar lower cap attach fittings, part number, 391-010-462, on Helio Models H-250, H-295, and HT-295 airplanes. Helio Models H-391, H-391B, H-395, H-395A, H-700, and H-800 airplanes incorporate a similar design. If not detected and corrected, these cracks could result in structural failure of the wings with consequent loss of control.

14 CFR parts 91 and 43 require maintenance and inspection requirements in this area. The procedures in the Helio Aircraft Operation and Maintenance Manual call out 100-hour inspections and long- range maintenance recommendations. This manual is one method of meeting these requirements.

At this time, this airworthiness concern is not considered an unsafe condition that would warrant an airworthiness directive action under 14 CFR part 39.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends the following:

• To meet your 14 CFR parts 91 and 43 requirements in the forward wing spar lower cap attachment fittings area, do the 100-hour inspections and long-range maintenance recommendations in the Helio Aircraft Operation and Maintenance Manual. The inspections include visual inspections for evidence of corrosion, cracking, and other damage on the spar fittings, attachment bolts, and related structure. • Because corrosion pitting in these areas could lead to structural failure of the wing with consequent loss of control due to metal fatigue, address any evidence of corrosion in the wing attach fittings. • Report any corrosion and other damage Helio Aircraft and the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office. Contact information is provided below.

Note: The required repetitive inspections defined in Airworthiness Directive (AD) 82-16-08, paragraph (D), are still required for the airplane models defined in the AD.

2 For Further Information Contact

For further information contact Mr. Michael Cann, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Room 450, Atlanta, GA, 30349; phone (770) 703-6038; fax: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: [email protected]

For Related Service Information Contact

Mr. David Maytag, Helio Aircraft, LLC, 6487 Wilkinson Drive, Prescott, Arizona 86301; phone: (928) 717-1069; fax: (928) 717-0999; email: [email protected]