AD 56-21-02

final rule

Airworthiness Directives; CESSNA Model T-50 Airplanes

AD Number
56-21-02
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Unknown
FR Citation
This information is not available.
Technical illustration of an aircraft fuel pump, filter, valve, and lines
Problem area Fuel system

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft Cessna Aircraft Company T-50 Airworthiness Directives; CESSNA Model T-50 Airplanes

Unsafe Condition

Spar deterioration in the rear spar just outboard of the fuselage fittings in the area of the inside corner of the fuel tank compartment.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Required Actions

Inspect the rear spar for wood deterioration annually by removing a 6 inches x 4 inches plywood section or fuel tank. Repair deterioration by removing damaged wood, fitting a tapered inlay, and installing a reinforcing strip. Replace deteriorated gussets, stringers, and felt padding with neoprene coated material if needed.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

on or before the next periodic inspection but not later than January 1, 1957, and at each periodic inspection thereafter

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Affected Aircraft

All Cessna Model T-50 (AT-17 Series and UC-78 Series) Aircraft.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Federal Register Abstract

Spar Deterioration

Applicability Source Text

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AD Number:
56-21-02
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; CESSNA Model T-50 Airplanes
Subject:
Spar Deterioration
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
Make:
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model:
T-50
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Small Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 56-21-02
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:  

AD NUMBER:   56-21-02

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; CESSNA Model T-50 Airplanes

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:  

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
56-21-02 CESSNA: Applies to All Model T-50 (AT-17 Series and UC-78 Series) Aircraft.

Compliance required on or before the next periodic inspection but not later than January 1, 1957, and at each periodic inspection thereafter.

Receipt of reports of spar deterioration subsequent to the corrective measures of AD 49- 20-01 necessitates repetitive and detailed inspections. It is therefore requested that the rear spar just outboard of the fuselage fittings in the area of the inside corner of the fuel tank compartment be inspected annually for indications of wood deterioration of the spar.

To accomplish the inspection, remove a section of plywood wing covering 6 inches x 4 inches adjacent to and outboard of the rear spar fuselage fittings and/or remove the fuel tank. If the inspection reveals any evidence of deterioration or separation of glue lines, removal of the lower cap strip between ribs in the affected area for detail inspection is required. To facilitate periodic inspection a permanent inspection opening may be incorporated provided it is reinforced to maintain strength equivalent to the original panel.

If spar deterioration does not exceed 1 inch of spar depth the spar may be repaired by the following method: Remove the damaged wood of the spar and fit with a matched inlay by gluing to the spar with the ends of the inlay tapered in a ratio of no less than 15 to 1. A bottom reinforcing strip or plate of an approximate thickness of 0.4 of the depth of thickness of the inlay with a maximum of 0.4-inch thickness is to be matched and glued to the bottom surface of the spar. This bottom reinforcing strip should extend approximately 3 inches beyond the end of the glue line of the inlay strip. The installation of this reinforcement plate may require a rework of the spacer block at the attachment fitting and a rework of the fore and aft stringers where they attach to the bottom surface of the spar.
The following contingencies apply in the repair of the spar:

(1) In the "5,700 pound" wing spar, the material for the inlay lamination and bottom reinforcement strip or plate should be fabricated from birch, maple or its equivalent.

(2) In the "5,100 pound" wing spar, the material for the inlay lamination and bottom reinforcement strip or plate may be fabricated from spruce.

Workmanship, gluing process, quality of materials and other limitations and repair requirements of CAM 18 apply except where otherwise noted. After completion of the spar repair and repair or replacement of deteriorated gussets, stringers, etc., as necessary, drain holes should be incorporated in wings if not already installed. If the drain holes are installed it should be ascertained that they are open. The felt padding under fuel tanks should be inspected for evidence of absorption of moisture, and the padding replaced, if necessary, with neoprene coated felt or equivalent nonabsorbing material.

This supersedes AD 49-20-01.

FOOTER:

Document Text

Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_56-21-02.html
Copy URL
Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
56-21-02
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; CESSNA Model T-50 Airplanes
Subject:
Spar Deterioration
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
Make:
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model:
T-50
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Small Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 56-21-02
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:  

AD NUMBER:   56-21-02

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; CESSNA Model T-50 Airplanes

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:  

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
56-21-02 CESSNA: Applies to All Model T-50 (AT-17 Series and UC-78 Series) Aircraft.

Compliance required on or before the next periodic inspection but not later than January 1, 1957, and at each periodic inspection thereafter.

Receipt of reports of spar deterioration subsequent to the corrective measures of AD 49- 20-01 necessitates repetitive and detailed inspections. It is therefore requested that the rear spar just outboard of the fuselage fittings in the area of the inside corner of the fuel tank compartment be inspected annually for indications of wood deterioration of the spar.

To accomplish the inspection, remove a section of plywood wing covering 6 inches x 4 inches adjacent to and outboard of the rear spar fuselage fittings and/or remove the fuel tank. If the inspection reveals any evidence of deterioration or separation of glue lines, removal of the lower cap strip between ribs in the affected area for detail inspection is required. To facilitate periodic inspection a permanent inspection opening may be incorporated provided it is reinforced to maintain strength equivalent to the original panel.

If spar deterioration does not exceed 1 inch of spar depth the spar may be repaired by the following method: Remove the damaged wood of the spar and fit with a matched inlay by gluing to the spar with the ends of the inlay tapered in a ratio of no less than 15 to 1. A bottom reinforcing strip or plate of an approximate thickness of 0.4 of the depth of thickness of the inlay with a maximum of 0.4-inch thickness is to be matched and glued to the bottom surface of the spar. This bottom reinforcing strip should extend approximately 3 inches beyond the end of the glue line of the inlay strip. The installation of this reinforcement plate may require a rework of the spacer block at the attachment fitting and a rework of the fore and aft stringers where they attach to the bottom surface of the spar.
The following contingencies apply in the repair of the spar:

(1) In the "5,700 pound" wing spar, the material for the inlay lamination and bottom reinforcement strip or plate should be fabricated from birch, maple or its equivalent.

(2) In the "5,100 pound" wing spar, the material for the inlay lamination and bottom reinforcement strip or plate may be fabricated from spruce.

Workmanship, gluing process, quality of materials and other limitations and repair requirements of CAM 18 apply except where otherwise noted. After completion of the spar repair and repair or replacement of deteriorated gussets, stringers, etc., as necessary, drain holes should be incorporated in wings if not already installed. If the drain holes are installed it should be ascertained that they are open. The felt padding under fuel tanks should be inspected for evidence of absorption of moisture, and the padding replaced, if necessary, with neoprene coated felt or equivalent nonabsorbing material.

This supersedes AD 49-20-01.

FOOTER:

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. Always verify with official sources.