Airworthiness Directives; Sabreliner Model NA-265, NA-265-20, NA-265-30, NA-265-40, NA-265-50, NA-265-60, NA-265-65, NA-265-70, and NA-265-80 Series Airplanes

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Sabreliner Model NA-265-40, NA-265-50, NA-265-60, NA-265-70, and NA-265-80 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies in the front and rear spars of the wing in the area of the wing center section, and in the lugs on the rear spar and wing trailing edge panel rib, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD expands the applicability of the existing AD and requires new repetitive inspections for fuel leaks of the front and rear spars of the wing, and for discrepancies in the front and rear spars of the wing in the area of the wing center section, and in the lugs on the rear spar and wing trailing edge panel rib. This AD also requires related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. This AD results from reports of cracking in the upper and lower flanges of the front and rear spars of the wing near the wing center section, and in the lugs on the rear spar. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking or other discrepancies in these areas, which could result in structural failure of the wing.