AD 2000-18-02 65 FR 54140

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Models A65, A65-8200, 65-B80, 70, 95-A55, 95-B55, 95-C55, D55, E55, 56TC, A56TC, 58, 58P, 58TC, 95-B55B (T42A) airplanes. This AD requires replacement of certain elevator skin assemblies that Raytheon shipped from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, and prevents the future installation of these elevator skin assemblies. This AD authorizes the pilot to check the logbooks to determine whether one of these elevator skin assemblies is installed. This AD is the result of reports that certain elevator skin assemblies did not receive a 250-degree Fahrenheit bake operation after corrosion treatment, thus making the skin susceptible to separation from the elevator assembly. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct potential elevator skin separation, which would lead to a reduction in static strength capability with continued operation. This could then result in potential airplane flutter with consequent loss of control of the airplane.