Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 1900, 1900C, 1900C (C-12J), and 1900D Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 1900, 1900C, 1900C (C-12J), and 1900D airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect all elevator hinge support attachments on both left and right elevators for loose and missing rivets, replace rivets if loose or missing rivets are found, inspect the elevator hinge joints for looseness and clearance of each elevator to its stabilizer, correct looseness and clearance if incorrect, and report results of the required inspections. This AD results from a report of excessive movement of the elevator and elevator trim. The hinge support attachment that attaches the elevator to the horizontal stabilizer was loose and had loose and missing rivets. The elevator counterweight horn showed evidence of rubbing against the horizontal stabilizer, indicating possible incorrect clearance. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct any looseness in the elevator hinge support attachments, which could result in binding of the elevator control system. This elevator binding could lead to loss of control of the airplane.