AD 97-15-07 62 FR 42045

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-15-07, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda. (Aeromot) Model AMT-200 powered sailplanes. This AD requires immediately inspecting, using non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, the forward horizontal stabilizer front bolt, P/N 53451, for defects (scratches, damaged threads, or surface cracks, etc.), and replacing the bolt immediately if found defective or at a certain time period if not found defective. This AD was the result of a failure of the forward horizontal stabilizer bolt, part number (P/N) 53451, on one of the affected powered sailplanes. This failure was caused by a low cycle fatigue crack that was induced by overtorquing the bolt. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the forward horizontal stabilizer bolt, which could result in separation of the horizontal stabilizer from the powered sailplane and consequent loss of control.