strut inspection on aircraft?

[fearofpavement]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

Just an added note, I see where the AD revision refers to the Service Bulletin amendment B but on the forum it only shows the outdated original bulletin and an internet search did not yield the latest bulletin either. The taylorcraft.com website is dead and thus my question remains unanswered.

[fearofpavement]

Our T-craft is due for the strut inspection to comply with the AD. My question is this, we were hoping to have the inspection done at a facility by flying the aircraft in and having the ultrasonic inspection carried out. We would then fly the plane back and do the annual.

I was reviewing the service bulletin put out by Taylorcraft and it states:

1. NDT inspection of the lift struts requires removing them from the airplane and testing them on a flat, level surface. In the process of removing the lift struts, please mark each one, and upon passing inspection reinstall it in the same position that it was removed from (i.e. the lift strut removed from the left rear position must be reinstalled on the left rear position, and not on the right rear position).

I am unclear why the inspection couldn't be carried out on the aircraft as whether or not the strut is on or off the plane, lying flat or on an angle doesn't impact the ultrasonic inspection process. I am also keeping in mind that this service bulletin also calls for the eddy current inspection which was later rejected as a suitable inspection means.

So two questions. One is whether or not this service bulletin was revised and if so does anyone have a link to it. The second question is whether there is any reason to have the struts removed to do ultrasonic inspection?

The facility we intend to use does not have x-ray capability or we would opt for that.

Thanks.