AD/BAe 146/114 Centre Fuselage Skin (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes

AD/BAe 146/114 Centre Fuselage Skin 6/2005 DM

Applicability:

Model AVRO 146-RJ Series aircraft.

Requirement:

1.    Establish from the aircraft’s technical records whether the aircraft has previously been inspected in accordance with British Aerospace (Operations) Ltd Avro 146-RJ Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR) Issue 10 Task SSI 53-20-138 (Maintenance Planning Document Task References 532038DVI-DVI-10000-1 and 532038-DVI-10000-2).

2.    If the inspection has not been previously accomplished, perform a detailed visual inspection of the external fuselage skin adjacent to the longeron at rib 0 from frame 29 to frame 31 in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Service Bulletin ISB 53-177, or later EASA approved revision.

3.    Following accomplishment of the initial inspection in accordance with MRBR Task SSI 53-20-138 or Requirement 2 of this Directive, perform all repeat inspections.

Note 1:  This Directive supersedes the requirements of UK CAA AD 008-04-83 Revision 1 (Mandatory Life Limitations) for the initial accomplishment of MRBR Task SSI 53-20-138 only, all other limitations continue to apply.

Note 2:  UK CAA AD G-2005-0009 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Within 30 days after 29 April 2005.

2.a. For aircraft that have accumulated less than 22,000 flight cycles, perform the inspection before the accumulation of 22,000 flight cycles or within 6 months after 29 April 2005, whichever occurs later.

2.b. For aircraft that have exceeded 22,000 flight cycles, perform the inspection before the accumulation of 24,000 flight cycles or within 6 months after 29 April 2005, whichever occurs first.

3.    At the interval specified in BAE Systems (Operations) BAe 146 MRBR Issue 10, or later EASA approved revision.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 April 2005.

Background: The manufacturer has determined that in order to assure the continued structural integrity of the fuselage skin adjacent to the rib 0 longeron between frames 29 to 31 of the AVRO 146-RJ aircraft, a revised inspection program for this area is considered necessary.  Cracking, if undetected, could lead to catastrophic structural failure.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

26 April 2005