Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
2022-24
December 23, 2022
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This
Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) is being issued to
alert owners, operators, maintenance technicians, and inspectors of an
airworthiness concern for Seamax Aircraft LTDA (Seamax) Model M-22
light-sport airplanes which incorporate the folding wing optional
assembly. Specifically, this SAIB provides procedures to inspect the
wing strut attachment hardware for proper security.
At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that
would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39. However, the Seamax M-22
is a Light –Sport category aircraft and if Seamax Aircraft LTDA issues
a Safety Directive for this issue, compliance will be mandatory per the
operational limitations that are provided with the airworthiness
certificate.
Background
On October 6, 2022, a Seamax M-22 light-sport airplane, registration
number N46PD, was destroyed in an accident near East Hampton, New York.
The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated under
14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
As documented in NTSB preliminary report ERA23FA007, the right wing was
separated from the main wreckage and located in a tree, and the right
wing strut was separated from the right wing. The bolt attaching the
right strut to the right wing remained attached to the right wing and
was not fractured; however, the nut was not present. In addition, the
bolt threads did not exhibit significant damage. The NTSB’s
investigation of this event is ongoing and a probable cause has not
been determined.
Seamax has previously issued two Service Bulletins which provide
instructions for inspecting the wing attachment areas. Seamax Service
Bulletin SB_001_09 dated February 3, 2009 provides instructions for a
one-time visual inspection on bottom wing strut fitting ends. Seamax
Service Bulletin SB_001_20 dated May 14, 2020 provides instructions for
a repetitive visual inspection of the stainless-steel connection of
wing strut to fuselage to be performed during all preflight checks.
Recommendations
The FAA recommends owners and operators of Seamax M-22 light-sport
airplanes which incorporate the folding wing optional assembly perform
the actions of Seamax Service Bulletins SB_001_09 dated February 3,
2009 and SB_001_20 dated May 14, 2020. The FAA also recommends that
owners and operators repetitively inspect the wing strut hinge points,
as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to ensure proper installation and
attachment of the nuts prior to every flight.
John Stoll, Light Sport Aircraft Program Manager, Production and
Airworthiness Systems (AIR-632), FAA Policy and Innovation Division at
John.Stoll@faa.gov
Or Kristi Bradley, General Aviation Safety Coordinator, Fleet Safety
Section (AIR-723), Compliance and Airworthiness Division at
Kristin.Bradley@faa.gov