AD 58-17-02

final rule

CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft

AD Number
58-17-02
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Unknown
FR Citation
This information is not available.
Technical illustration of an aircraft flight control surface and actuator
Problem area Flight controls

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft Airlift International, Inc. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation | Flying Tiger Line, Inc. | L. B. Smith Aircraft Corporation | Skyways International Trading and Transport Co. | Tempo Design Corporation C-46A CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft
aircraft Airlift International, Inc. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation | Flying Tiger Line, Inc. | L. B. Smith Aircraft Corporation | Skyways International Trading and Transport Co. | Tempo Design Corporation C-46D CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft
aircraft Airlift International, Inc. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation | Flying Tiger Line, Inc. | L. B. Smith Aircraft Corporation | Skyways International Trading and Transport Co. | Tempo Design Corporation C-46F CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft
aircraft Airlift International, Inc. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation | Flying Tiger Line, Inc. | L. B. Smith Aircraft Corporation | Skyways International Trading and Transport Co. | Tempo Design Corporation C-46R CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft
aircraft Airlift International, Inc. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation | Flying Tiger Line, Inc. | L. B. Smith Aircraft Corporation | Skyways International Trading and Transport Co. | Tempo Design Corporation C-46E CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft
aircraft Airlift International, Inc. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation | Flying Tiger Line, Inc. | L. B. Smith Aircraft Corporation | Skyways International Trading and Transport Co. | Tempo Design Corporation C-46/CW20-T CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft
aircraft Airlift International, Inc. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation | Flying Tiger Line, Inc. | L. B. Smith Aircraft Corporation | Skyways International Trading and Transport Co. | Tempo Design Corporation Super C-46/CW20-T CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft

Unsafe Condition

Recurrent fatigue cracking on the horizontal tail surfaces, particularly in the skin and ribs near the elevator balance weights and elevator hinge cutouts.

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

Required Actions

Conduct daily visual external inspections for cracks on horizontal tail surfaces. Perform detailed visual inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours' time in service, focusing on areas near balance weights, elevator nose ribs, main spar, and hinge ribs. Repair any cracks according to approved methods before next flight; stop-drilling alone is insufficient.

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

Compliance Time

Compliance required as noted.

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

Affected Aircraft

Curtiss-Wright Models C-46 Series aircraft including Models C-46R and C-46/CW20-T.

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

Federal Register Abstract

Horizontal Tail Surfaces

Applicability Source Text

Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_58-17-02.html
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AD Number:
58-17-02
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft
Subject:
Horizontal Tail Surfaces
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
Make:
Airlift International, Inc. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation | Flying Tiger Line, Inc. | L. B. Smith Air...Show more
Model:
C-46A | C-46D | C-46F | C-46R | C-46E | C-46/CW20-T | Super C-46/CW20-T
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large 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: 58-17-02
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:  

AD NUMBER:   58-17-02

SUBJECT HEADING:   CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:  

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
58-17-02 CURTISS-WRIGHT: Applies to all C-46 Series aircraft including the Models C-46R and C-46/CW20-T aircraft.

Compliance required as noted.

Due to recurrent fatigue cracking on the horizontal tail surfaces, the following inspections must be accomplished:

1. Conduct a daily visual external inspection of the horizontal tail surfaces for cracks with especial reference to cracks developing in the skin and ribs in the area of the elevator balance weights and the elevator hinge cutouts.

2. A detailed visual inspection of the horizontal tail surfaces must be conducted at intervals not to exceed 100 hours' time in service. Particular attention should be paid to cracks developing in the area of the balance weights on the elevator, elevator nose ribs, elevator main spar, and elevator and stabilizer hinge ribs.

3. Any cracks found must be repaired in accordance with the structural repair manual or other approved repair method prior to the next flight. Stop-drilling of cracks is not considered a repair but may form part of a repair.

To facilitate inspection, the horizontal stabilizer may be modified in accordance with L.B. Smith Aircraft Corporation Drawing No. 5.040.02, or approved equivalent.

To provide access to the elevator interiors for visual inspection, access holes may be added in the elevator skin as shown on Riddle Airlines Incorporated Service Bulletin No. RSB-C- 46-8.

Revised July 11, 1961.

FOOTER:

Document Text

Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_58-17-02.html
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Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
58-17-02
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft
Subject:
Horizontal Tail Surfaces
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
Make:
Airlift International, Inc. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation | Flying Tiger Line, Inc. | L. B. Smith Air...Show more
Model:
C-46A | C-46D | C-46F | C-46R | C-46E | C-46/CW20-T | Super C-46/CW20-T
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large 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: 58-17-02
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:  

AD NUMBER:   58-17-02

SUBJECT HEADING:   CURTISS-WRIGHT Models C-46 Series Aircraft

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:  

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
58-17-02 CURTISS-WRIGHT: Applies to all C-46 Series aircraft including the Models C-46R and C-46/CW20-T aircraft.

Compliance required as noted.

Due to recurrent fatigue cracking on the horizontal tail surfaces, the following inspections must be accomplished:

1. Conduct a daily visual external inspection of the horizontal tail surfaces for cracks with especial reference to cracks developing in the skin and ribs in the area of the elevator balance weights and the elevator hinge cutouts.

2. A detailed visual inspection of the horizontal tail surfaces must be conducted at intervals not to exceed 100 hours' time in service. Particular attention should be paid to cracks developing in the area of the balance weights on the elevator, elevator nose ribs, elevator main spar, and elevator and stabilizer hinge ribs.

3. Any cracks found must be repaired in accordance with the structural repair manual or other approved repair method prior to the next flight. Stop-drilling of cracks is not considered a repair but may form part of a repair.

To facilitate inspection, the horizontal stabilizer may be modified in accordance with L.B. Smith Aircraft Corporation Drawing No. 5.040.02, or approved equivalent.

To provide access to the elevator interiors for visual inspection, access holes may be added in the elevator skin as shown on Riddle Airlines Incorporated Service Bulletin No. RSB-C- 46-8.

Revised July 11, 1961.

FOOTER:

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

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