AD/SWSA226/12 - Rudder Bellcranks - Inspection - CANCELLED

What this does

This instrument officially cancels (removes from force) a 1973 aviation safety rule that required owners of certain Fairchild Swearingen aircraft to test their rudder bellcranks—the mechanical joints connecting the pilot’s foot pedals to the tail rudder—for metal hardness. The cancellation took effect on 4 June 2009.

Who it affects

This applies to owners, operators, and maintenance engineers responsible for Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes.

Why it matters

The original rule was emergency legislation responding to a manufacturer’s service bulletin warning about potential defects. Because compliance was mandatory within 10 hours of flying time back in 1973, every affected aircraft would have been inspected and repaired decades ago. This cancellation cleans up the statute book by removing a redundant requirement, ensuring operators no longer need to track an obsolete rule that serves no remaining safety purpose.