Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 208 and 208B Airplanes

The FAA supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 2002-22-17, which applies to all Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 208 and 208B airplanes; and AD 2003-21-04, which applies to certain Cessna Models 208 and 208B airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the flap bellcranks for cracks and eventually replace these bellcranks. The installation of a newly designed bellcrank to increase the life limits is terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD is the result of these developments: Since FAA issued AD 2002- 22-17 and AD 2003-21-04, Cessna designed a new flap bell crank with a life limit of 40,000 landings instead of 7,000 landings. Also, FAA has done more analysis and examination of cracks and missing/incomplete welds in all of the bell cranks. This failure could lead to damage to the flap system and surrounding structure and result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane.