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

This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 77-25- 03, which currently requires repetitively inspecting for cracks on the landing gear actuator rod ends that are equipped with grease fittings, on Fairchild Aircraft, Inc. (Fairchild Aircraft) Models SA226-T, SA226- AT, and SA226-TC airplanes. AD 77-25-03 also requires replacing the landing gear actuator rod ends with an improved part either immediately or at a certain time period depending on the results of the inspections. Replacement of all six rod ends terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of AD 77-25-03. This AD is the result of failures of the landing gear rod ends on airplanes where the rod ends were replaced in accordance with AD 77-25-03. Fairchild has re-designed the landing gear rod ends as a result of these failures. This AD requires replacing all landing gear rod ends with these improved design parts on all SA226 series airplanes, including those manufactured since AD 77-25-03 was issued (i.e., the Model SA226-T(B) airplanes). The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the landing gear actuator caused by cracks in the rod ends, which could result in the inability to lower the landing gear during a landing with consequent possible loss of control of the airplane.