Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model 1329 Series Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lockheed Model 1329 series airplanes. This AD requires determining the part number on the steering cylinder assembly for the nose landing gear (NLG), determining the total flight cycles accumulated on the NLG steering cylinder assembly, repetitively replacing the assembly, inspecting for missing tow turning limit markings, and performing corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of numerous failures of the NLG steering cylinder. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of hydraulic pressure and steering control.