{"id":"F2017L01119","name":"AD/CESSNA 400/120 - Fitting - Wing Attach - Lower Forward Carry Through Spar (Left and Right Wings)","slug":"ad-cessna-400-120-fitting-wing-attach-lower-forward-carry-through-spar-left-and-right-wings","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":97010,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2017L01119-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"part","heading":"Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes","content":"# Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/CESSNA 400/120 | Fitting - Wing Attach - Lower Forward Carry Through Spar (Left and Right Wings) | 18/2017 |\n| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- |\n\n| Applicability: | All Cessna 400 series aircraft, except for models 404 and 441, with J&R Aerospace manufactured fittings part number JRA-445-1 (the fittings). |\n| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement: | 1. Remove inspection panels that are previously installed in accordance with Cessna Service Kit SK421-152 as in force at the date of this instrument, (or by other access means if these inspection panels are not installed) to gain access to the fittings on both wings;Examine Cessna Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) 53-40-00, page 4, Figure 01, item 169 (left wing shown), as in force at the date of this instrument, to identify the fitting and its location on each wing;2. Visually inspect (using a borescope to assist the inspection if required) the whole visible area of the fitting as shown in Figure A. Look particularly for cracks or corrosion pitting over the whole visible surface of the fitting. Also inspect the inboard end of the fitting for evidence of crack initiation as shown by the arrow.Note 1: It is not necessary to remove the primer for any of the above inspections.Note 2: J&R Aerospace fittings will have been drilled to match the original fitting hole locations. However, this type of installation may result in preload of the fitting if hole line-up is not optimal, setting up residual stresses which can exacerbate stress corrosion cracking. There are methods to avoid these residual stresses being introduced. Shimming can be one typical solution. There may be other methods. |\n| Compliance: | For fittings with less than 1000 hours or 3 years (whichever occurs first) accumulated time in service at the commencement date of this AD, conduct an initial inspection prior to exceeding 1000 hours component time in service, or three (3) calendar years, whichever occurs first. Thereafter, re-inspect at every 1000 hours or three calendar year intervals whichever occurs first, orFor fittings with more than 1000 hours or 3 years accumulated time in service at the commencement date of this AD, conduct an initial inspection within 220 hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first, after the commencement date of this AD. Thereafter, re-inspect at every 1000 hours or three calendar year intervals whichever comes first. |\n\n```html\n

Note 3: The initial and repeat inspection interval is the same as the Current Supplemental Inspection Documents (SIDS) inspection interval in Cessna Model 401/402 Supplemental inspection Number 57-10-27. This AD may be accomplished at the same time as the SIDS inspection.

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Figure A.

This AD commences on 31 August 2017.

Background:

This Airworthiness Directive was issued because a Cessna 402C aircraft was found to have an approximately 4 inch crack extending from the inboard end of the fitting. The fitting was a J&R Aerospace (non-OEM) fitting with a time since new of 2831 hours. However, it was not possible to determine when this crack actually started. Further laboratory analysis of the failed fitting revealed that the material and process used to manufacture the fitting renders the fitting more susceptible to stress corrosion cracking in service.

This AD requires an initial and repetitive visual inspection of J&R manufactured wing fittings. The initial and repeat inspection intervals have been chosen to align with current SIDS inspection interval for this area - Refer: Cessna Model 401/402 Supplemental inspection Number 57-10-27.

\n```\n\n![](image.002.jpeg)\n\nChristopher De Luis \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n29 August 2017","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/CESSNA 400/120","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/CESSNA 400/120","content":"## AD/CESSNA 400/120","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Fitting - Wing Attach - Lower Forward Ca","sectionType":"part","heading":"Fitting - Wing Attach - Lower Forward Carry Through Spar (Left and Right Wings)","content":"## Fitting - Wing Attach - Lower Forward Carry Through Spar (Left and Right Wings)","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"18/2017","sectionType":"part","heading":"18/2017","content":"## 18/2017","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope. It targets a specific safety-critical defect identified in a specific non-OEM part (J&R Aerospace fitting JRA-445-1) on a defined aircraft series. The directive does not expand beyond its original purpose of mandating repetitive inspections to detect stress corrosion cracking in these particular fittings."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple compliance pathways based on component age (two-tier system: <1000 hours vs >1000 hours)","Cross-reference to external technical documents (Cessna Service Kit SK421-152, Cessna Illustrated Parts Catalog IPC 53-40-00, Cessna SIDS inspection 57-10-27)","Technical aviation terminology requiring specialized knowledge (borescope, stress corrosion cracking, OEM vs non-OEM parts, Supplemental Inspection Documents)","Conditional logic for inspection methods (inspection panels OR other access means)","Reference to specific part numbers and aircraft model exceptions (excludes 404 and 441 models)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates inspection of J&R Aerospace wing-fuselage fittings (P/N JRA-445-1) on Cessna 400 series aircraft (excluding 404 and 441) because material/manufacturing defects increase stress-corrosion cracking risk—one crack was found after 2,831 hours. Owners/operators with these non-original fittings must access and visually inspect both fittings (borescope allowed) on a staged recurring schedule (initial short-term check for older fittings, then every 1,000 hours or 3 years) to prevent possible wing separation."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument's scope is narrowly defined in the Applicability clause to J&R Aerospace fittings (part JRA-445-1) on Cessna 400-series aircraft excluding models 404 and 441, reflecting the failure analysis described in the Background. The AD does not expand beyond that targeted set of fittings or aircraft and therefore does not change scope from its stated purpose within the instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Targeted applicability tied to a specific part number and excludes certain models (Applicability) — requires precise fleet/component identification.","Multiple timing thresholds and conditional grace periods: different initial inspection triggers depending on whether fitting time-in-service is <1000 hours/3 years or >1000 hours/3 years, plus 220 hours/12 months grace (Compliance).","Recurring inspection cadence aligned to either 1000 flight hours or three calendar years, whichever occurs first (Compliance) — creates dual time/usage tracking burdens.","Operational detail on access: remove panels installed under Cessna Service Kit SK421-152 or use other access means if panels absent (Requirement) — variable workscope for different aircraft.","Inspection technique constraints: visual inspection with optional borescope; primer must not be removed (Requirement/Notes) — limits inspection methods and may affect detectability.","Cross-references to external manufacturer documents (Cessna IPC, SIDS, Service Kit) and an option to combine with SIDS inspections (Requirement/Note 3) — requires cross-document coordination.","Technical judgement about installation-induced preload and mitigation options (shimming or other methods) noted (Note 2) — demands engineering/maintenance decisions beyond simple inspections.","Background technical finding (material/process susceptibility) underpins the AD; traceability to failure analysis may be needed for parts history and risk assessment (Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires owners/operators of Cessna 400-series aeroplanes (except models 404 and 441) fitted with J&R Aerospace part JRA-445-1 wing attach fittings to perform initial and recurring visual (borescope-assisted if needed) inspections for cracks and corrosion, and to remove or use existing inspection panels to access the fittings. The rule responds to a found stress‑corrosion crack in a non‑OEM fitting and creates a recurring compliance schedule that imposes inspection, access and maintenance costs on operators."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-400-120-fitting-wing-attach-lower-forward-carry-through-spar-left-and-right-wings","history":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-400-120-fitting-wing-attach-lower-forward-carry-through-spar-left-and-right-wings/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-400-120-fitting-wing-attach-lower-forward-carry-through-spar-left-and-right-wings/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-400-120-fitting-wing-attach-lower-forward-carry-through-spar-left-and-right-wings/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-400-120-fitting-wing-attach-lower-forward-carry-through-spar-left-and-right-wings/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-400-120-fitting-wing-attach-lower-forward-carry-through-spar-left-and-right-wings/documents"}}