Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated Models SA226-TC, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), and SA226-AT Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated (Fairchild) Models SA226-TC, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), and SA226-AT airplanes. This action requires inspecting the center flap hinge and wing trailing edge ribs at the flap actuator attach brackets for cracks and if no cracks are found, installing a doubler on the rib, or replacing a cracked rib with a new rib assembly that is reinforced with a doubler. This action is the result of high local stress concentration, which led to fatigue cracking of the wing trailing edge ribs. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent asymmetrical flap deflection, which could force the airplane into an uncommanded roll with possible loss of control of the airplane.