AD 96-22-09 Amendment 39-9797

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Shorts Model SD3-60 and SD3-SHERPA series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to detect cracks and/or corrosion of the gland nut on the shock absorber of the main landing gear (MLG), and follow-on actions. This amendment also requires repair or replacement of any cracked/corroded gland nut with a new nut. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that, due to stress corrosion and cracking of the gland nut on the shock absorber, the MLG collapsed on an in-service airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct such stress corrosion or cracking in a timely manner and consequent reduced structural integrity of the gland nut, which could result in separation of the shock absorber cylinder from the MLG shock absorber body and consequently, lead to the collapse of the MLG during landing.