Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft Models SA226-AT and SA226-TC Airplanes

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This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Fairchild Aircraft Models SA226-AT and SA226-TC airplanes. This action requires replacing the two lower aluminum cargo door receptacles with steel receptacles. A report of cargo door failure on one of the affected airplanes prompted this action. Fatigue of the two bottom cargo door receptacles caused the bottom third of the cargo door to bend outward and upward, causing damage to the fuselage door frame. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent decompression injuries and the cargo door from breaking off and striking the empennage or the elevator, which could cause substantial structural failure and loss of control of the airplane.