Airworthiness Directives; Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Swearingen, Fairchild Aircraft, and M7 Aerospace) Airplanes
Key claim: Operators of certain Ontic (formerly Swearingen/Fairchild/M7) SA226 and SA227 airplanes must repeatedly inspect and, if needed, replace pitch trim actuators after reports of in-flight failures.
Abstract
(Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration) The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. Model SA226-T, SA226- AT, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-PC, SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT (300) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight pitch trim actuator failures. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the pitch trim actuator for cracked, missing, or compromised sealant, replacing and sealing the pitch trim actuator if cracked, missing, or compromised, repetitively measuring the pitch trim actuator travel time, and depending on the results of the measurements, replacing and sealing the pitch trim actuator. This AD also requires certain pitch trim actuators to be sealed after installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Why this matters
This is another routine FAA airworthiness directive narrowly targeting an aging fleet of commuter airplanes whose type certificate has passed through several owners. Pitch trim actuator failures can produce unexpected pitch control forces, so repetitive inspection and replacement reduces the risk of an in-flight control upset on these specific SA226/SA227 aircraft. It fits the ongoing pattern of ADs addressing legacy-fleet component wear rather than signaling any broader policy change.