Wing, Fuselage Attach Fittings

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FAA Aviation Safety SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SAIB: CE-12-30 SUBJ: Wing, Fuselage Attach Fittings Date: May 8, 2012 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs registered owners/operators of all Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. EA500 model series aircraft (under Type Certificate Data Sheet A00002AC) of an airworthiness concern. Specifically, this SAIB provides guidance for inspection of the wing main spar and mating fuselage attach lugs for corrosion.

At this time, this airworthiness concern has not been determined to be an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Background

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received reports of various degrees of corrosion on the wing main spar and mating fuselage attach lugs on Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. (EAI) EA500 model series aircraft. The reports include corrosion damage to multiple lugs with the worst case for a single lug so far causing a decrease in the margin of safety while still retaining a positive margin.

Investigation determined the corrosion to be attributed to probable damage to the protective coating during original wing installation that is accelerated by inadequate water drainage provisions in the adjacent lower wing-to-body fairing.

EAI has published Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) 500-57-011, Revision B, dated March 1, 2012, to provide instructions for performing inspection of the wing main spar and mating fuselage attach lugs at the next 300 hour/24 month inspection for corrosion and bare and/or scratched areas. The bulletin also provides instructions for corrosion removal and applying corrosion protection coating to exposed areas.

EAI also published Mandatory SB 500-53-008, Revision B, dated February 13, 2012, to provide instructions for modifying the lower wing-to-body fairings at the next 300 hour/24 month inspection. The bulletin provides instructions for installing additional drains in the fairings.

This SAIB is being issued because the FAA wants to increase awareness and encourage incorporation of the Eclipse Mandatory Service Bulletins.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends you inspect your EAI EA500 airplane wing main spar and mating fuselage attach lugs and modify the lower wing-to-body fairings at the time intervals and using the procedures directed in Eclipse Mandatory SB 500-57-011, Revision B, dated March 1, 2012, and SB 500-53-008, Revision B, dated February 13, 2012.

2 For Further Information Contact

Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, TX 78216; phone: (210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370; e-mail: [email protected].

For Related Service Information Contact

Eclipse Aerospace, Inc., 26 East Palatine Road, Wheeling, IL 60090; phone: (877) 375-7978; online: www.eclipse.aero.