Air Tractor AT-802/802A Elevator Trim SAIB CE-11-49

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs registered owners/operators of all Air Tractor, Inc. Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes (under Type Certificate Data Sheet A19SW) of an airworthiness concern. Specifically, this SAIB provides guidance for general and detailed inspection and lubrication instructions for the elevator trim control system.

Background
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received a report of a failed weld on the elevator trim actuator attach clamp assembly bracket, part number (P/N) 70857-1, on an Air Tractor Model AT-802 airplane having approximately 5,000 hours time-in-service (TIS). The failure resulted in the airplane experiencing an unprompted pitch change during flight. The failure of the clamp assembly bracket was the result of the elevator trim system binding due to lack of lubrication of the elevator trim/boost tab bushings. The AT-802/AT-802A owners manual requires the elevator trim/boost tab bushings be lubricated every 100 hours TIS.

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SAIB Attached