Operation of M18 aircraft with a more severe flight load spectrum results in greater fatigue damage than anticipated by the manufacturer when determining the service life of the M18. If not properly accounted for, the existing service life limit, and particular inspection intervals, may not provide the intended level of safety.
The safety action adequately addresses the safety issue.
At the time of publishing this report, there were 12 registered operators of PZL M18 aircraft on the Australian Civil Register. The ATSB has sent a copy of this report to each of those operators to alert them of this safety issue.
