2004-17-01 CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY: Amendment 39-13772; Docket No. 2002-CE-23-AD; Supersedes AD 2002-22-17, amendment 39-12944; and AD 2003-21-04, amendment 39-13339.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 2002-22-17, which applies to all Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 208 and 208B airplanes; and AD 2003-21-04, which applies to certain Cessna Models 208 and 208B airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the flap bellcranks for cracks and eventually replace these bellcranks. The installation of a newly designed bellcrank to increase the life limits is terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD is the result of these developments: Since FAA issued AD 2002-22-17 and AD 2003-21-04, Cessna designed a new flap bell crank with a life limit of 40,000 landings instead of 7,000 landings. Also, FAA has done more analysis and examination of cracks and missing/incomplete welds in all of the bell cranks. This failure could lead to damage to the flap system and surrounding structure and result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane.

When Does This AD Become Effective?
   (a)    This AD becomes effective on September 26, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
   (b)    This AD supersedes AD 2002-22-17, amendment 39-12944; and AD 2003-21-04, amendment 39-13339.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?
   (c)    This AD affects the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category:
    (1)    Group 1 (retains the actions from AD 2003-21-04, and adds all flap bellcranks to the applicability):

Model    Serial Nos.
208
208B    20800001 through 20800369
208B0001 through 208B1014, 208B1017, 208B1018, 208B1020 through 208B1024, 208B1026, and 208B1029 through 208B1033.

    (2)    Group 2 (retains the requirement of AD 2002-22-17 that you repetitively inspect the inboard forward flap bellcranks for cracks, eventually replace these bellcranks, and provides the option of installing the new design flap bellcrank to increase the life limits and terminate the repetitive inspections): Models 208 and 208B airplanes, all serial numbers.