Maule M-Series

Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Airplanes

We are revising Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-15-18 that applies to certain Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Models M-4, M-5, M- 6, M-7, MT-7, MX-7, MXT-7, and M-8 airplanes that are equipped with rear wing lift struts, part number (P/N) 2079E, and/or front wing lift struts, P/N 2080E. AD 98-15-18 required repetitively inspecting certain wing lift struts for internal corrosion and replacing of any wing lift strut where corrosion was found. Since we issued AD 98-15-18, we were informed by the manufacturer that Model MXT-7-420 airplanes are no longer in existence, are no longer type certificated, and should be removed from the Applicability section. We were also informed that paragraph (b) in AD 98-15-18 had been misinterpreted and caused confusion. This AD removes Model MXT-7-420 airplanes from the Applicability section and clarifies the intent of the language in paragraph (b) of AD 98-15-18. This AD also retains all other requirements of AD 98-15-18. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. M-4, M-5, M-6, and M-7 Series and Model M-8-235 Airplanes

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. M-4, M-5, M-6, and M-7 series and Model M-8-235 airplanes. This AD requires you to paint the top of the rear elevator control horn, the elevator control cable end attached to the top of the rear control horn, the bottom of the forward elevator control horn, and the elevator control cable end attached to the bottom of the forward control horn. This AD also requires you to insert a supplement into your maintenance program (maintenance manual). This AD results from two reports of accidents where reversed elevator control rigging was a factor. We are issuing this AD to reduce the likelihood of a mechanic rigging the elevator controls backwards, which could result in elevator movement in the opposite direction from control input. This condition could lead to loss of control.

Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, MX-7, and MXT-7 Series Airplanes and Models MT-7-235 and M-8-235 Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. (Maule) M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, MX-7, and MXT-7 series airplanes and Models MT-7-235 and M-8- 235 airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect all Nicopress<SUP>TM</SUP> sleeve terminal ends for correct size compression, with adjustment or replacement, as necessary. This AD results from a report of the rudder cable slipping out of the Nicopress<SUP>TM</SUP> sleeve while one of the affected airplanes was landing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct improper crimping of the Nicopress<SUP>TM</SUP> sleeve, which could cause a control cable to slip from the sleeve. This could result in loss of rudder, elevator, aileron, or flap control.

Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technology Corp. M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, MX-7, and MXT-7 Series Airplanes and Models MT-7-235 and M-8-235 Airplanes

This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-26- 18, which currently requires inspecting (one-time) certain wing lift struts for internal corrosion on certain Maule Aerospace Technology Corp. (Maule) M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, MX-7, and MXT-7 series airplanes and Models MT-7-235 and M-8-235 airplanes, and replacing any wing lift strut where corrosion is found. That AD was the result of an accident where the wing separated from one of the affected airplanes. This AD retains the initial inspection and possible replacement requirements of AD 95-26-18, requires the inspections to be repetitive, and provides the option of using ultrasonic procedures to accomplish the inspection requirements. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the wing lift struts caused by corrosion damage, which could eventually result in the wing separating from the airplane.

Airworthiness Directives; MAULE Models MX-7-420 and MXT-7-420 Airplanes and Models M-7-235 and M-7-235A Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Maule Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2661SO

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all MAULE Models MX-7-420 and MXT-7-420 airplanes, and all Models M-7-235 and M-7-235A airplanes that are modified in accordance with Maule STC SA2661SO, which incorporates a certain gas turbine engine, certain amphibious floats, and certain propellers. This AD requires amending the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to prohibit the positioning of the power levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight. This AFM amendment will include a statement of consequences if the limitation is not followed. This AD results from numerous incidents and five documented accidents involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines where the propeller beta was improperly utilized during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane control or engine overspeed with consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.

Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Maule Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (Maule) Models M- 4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes that have Dual Exhaust System 5230F installed. This action requires relocating the gascolator and electric fuel pump away from the dual exhaust system. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently became aware that, with these dual exhaust systems installed on the affected airplanes, the left-hand exhaust stack is routed almost directly below the fuel gascolator. The close proximity of the flammable fuel to the exhaust system presents an unsafe condition and violates current regulations. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an airplane engine fire caused by the close proximity of the fuel gascolator and electric fuel pump to the exhaust system.

Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, MX-7, MXT-7 Series and Models MT-7-235 and M-8-235 Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Maule Aerospace Technology (Maule) M-4, M-5, M-6, M- 7, MX-7, MXT-7 series and Models MT-7-235, and M-8-235 airplanes. This action requires a one-time inspection of certain wing lift struts for internal corrosion and replacement of the struts if corrosion is detected. An accident involving a wing separating from a Maule airplane in flight prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent corrosion of the wing lift strut, which, if not detected and corrected, could cause the wing to separate from the airplane.