AD 98-24-29 63 FR 65056

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Aerostar Aircraft Corporation (Aerostar) PA-60-600 and PA-60-700 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the forward face of each wing's 55-percent upper spar cap for cracks above the main landing gear fitting in the top of the wheel well, and replacing or repairing any cracked upper spar cap. Reports of spanwise cracks in the area above the main landing gear attachment on two of the affected airplanes prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the wing upper spar cap, which could result in structural failure of the wing spar to the point of failure with consequent loss of control of the airplane.