AD/BAe 146/131 Wing Links (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 146/131 Wing Links 3/2008 DM

Applicability:	Model BAe 146 and AVRO 146-RJ series aircraft, all models and serial numbers as identified in paragraph 1.A(1) of BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd Inspection Service Bulletin 53-175 Revision 1, or later EASA approved revision.
Requirement:	Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2008-0003.
Compliance:	As specified in the Requirement document.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 January 2008.
Background:	A potential fleet wide problem has been identified regarding the interchanging of wing links on all BAe 146 and AVRO 146-RJ aircraft during scheduled maintenance. Some operators erroneously believed that these parts were interchangeable.  The effects of changing wing links has resulted in either a shorter or longer wing link being fitted, which introduces local stresses in the wing top and bottom surfaces local to rib 2, wing links and wing link fitting attachment and the fuselage local to Frames 26 and 29.  This condition, if not corrected, could result in a reduction of structural integrity of the fuselage/wing attachment with possible catastrophic consequences.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

16 January 2008