Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600 aircraft.
This Continuing Airworthiness Notice (CAN) is issued to bring to your attention a recent airworthiness concern reported to the CAA. The aircraft maintenance manual provides instructions to ensure an aircraft can be maintained in an airworthy condition, and the manufacturer assumes the application of best practise when performing the maintenance tasks.
This CAN is prompted by a report received by the CAA of a Cresco 08-600 pilot experiencing limited aileron control travel during agricultural operations. The investigation revealed a severely fractured elevator torque tube. A piece of the tube was sufficiently bent to interfere with the aileron control quadrant P/N 242517 which restricted the aileron control travel to the left. For further detail refer to the enclosed photographs (Occurrence #16/3217 refers).
The aircraft maintenance manual provides maintenance tasks that are intended to ensure an aircraft can be maintained in an airworthiness condition, and those performing maintenance apply their training, knowledge and experience in performing the required tasks. The level of inspection, the inspection equipment required (torch, mirror etc.), the method and practices, may be left to the discretion of the Licensed Aircraft Engineer who certifies the aircraft for release-to-service.
The CAA has no recommendation at this time. This CAN is considered an interim measure and further action may follow.
