Airworthiness Directives; Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Swearingen, Fairchild Aircraft, and M7 Aerospace) Airplanes

Summary

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. Model SA226-T, SA226- AT, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-PC, SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT (300) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight pitch trim actuator failures. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the pitch trim actuator for cracked, missing, or compromised sealant, replacing and sealing the pitch trim actuator if cracked, missing, or compromised, repetitively measuring the pitch trim actuator travel time, and depending on the results of the measurements, replacing and sealing the pitch trim actuator. This AD also requires certain pitch trim actuators to be sealed after installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.