Airworthiness Directives; Aviat Aircraft, Inc. Models S-1S, S-1T, S-2, S-2A, S-2S, and S-2B Airplanes (Formerly Known as Pitts Models S- 1S, S-1T, S-2, S-2A, S-2S, and S-2B Airplanes)

This amendment revises AD 96-12-03, which applies to Aviat Aircraft, Inc. (Aviat) Models S-1S, S-1T, S-2, S-2S, and S-2B airplanes that are equipped with aft lower fuselage wing attach fittings incorporating either part number (P/N) 76090, 2-2107-1, or 1-210-102. That AD currently requires repetitively inspecting the aft lower fuselage wing attach fitting on both wings for cracks, and modifying any cracked aft lower fuselage wing attach fitting. Modifying both aft lower fuselage wing attach fittings eliminates the repetitive inspection requirement of AD 96-12-03. Aviat recently started incorporating modified aft lower fuselage wing attach fittings on newly manufactured airplanes. This AD retains the requirements of AD 96-12- 03, but exempts airplanes that had the modified aft lower fuselage wing attach fittings incorporated at manufacture. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent possible in-flight separation of the wing from the airplane caused by a cracked fuselage wing attach fitting.