Airworthiness Directives; APEX Aircraft Model CAP 10B Airplanes

This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-12- 10 and AD 99-21-23, which currently apply to APEX Aircraft (APEX) Model CAP 10B airplanes. AD 98-12-10 requires installing an inspection opening in the wing, repetitively inspecting the upper and lower wing spars for structural cracking, and, if any cracks are found, repairing the cracks in accordance with a repair method. AD 99-21-23 requires restricting the entry speed for performing flick maneuvers to 97 knots, inserting a copy of the AD into the Limitations Section of the CAP 10B flight manual, and fabricating and installing a placard (in the cockpit of the airplane within the pilot's clear view) that indicates this limitation. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. This AD retains the wing modification and repair requirements from AD 98-12-10. This AD also incorporates new repetitive inspection procedures, further reduces the flick maneuver speed specified in AD 99-21-23, and temporarily reduces the load factor limits prior to the initial inspection. The actions specified by this AD are intended to provide the flight information necessary to the pilot so that excessive speed is not used during aerobatic maneuvers and to detect and correct structural cracks in the wing spar, which could result in the wing separating from the airplane. Such failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane.