Airworthiness Directives; Aviat Aircraft Inc. Models S-2A, S-2B, and S-2S Airplanes (formerly Pitts Models S-2A, S-2B, and S-2S airplanes)

This amendment revises Airworthiness Directive (AD) 96-09-08, which currently requires inspecting the longerons aft of the rear cabane struts for cracks, and if cracked, prior to further flight, repairing the cracks. The current AD is applicable to Aviat Aircraft Inc. (Aviat), Models S-2A, S-2B, and S-2S airplanes (formerly Pitts Models S-2A, S-2B, and S-2S airplanes). This action requires the same action as AD 96-09-08; however, after AD 96-09-08 was issued, the FAA was notified by the manufacturer that the compliance time in the service bulletin was changed, and as a result, the issue date for the service bulletin was changed. This revision will ensure that the owner and operators are using the most up-to-date service bulletin applicable to the required actions in this AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracking and subsequent failure of the longerons resulting in possible loss of control of the airplane.