AD/BAe 146/135 Wing-to-Fuselage & Main Landing Gear Door Fairing Panel Grommets (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 146/135 Wing-to-Fuselage & Main Landing Gear
Door Fairing Panel Grommets 12/2008 DM

Applicability:

BAe 146 and AVRO 146-RJ series aircraft, all models, all serial numbers, if post-modification HCM00633E and/or post-modification HCM00934A.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the technical requirements of EASA AD 2008-0180.

Note 1:  BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-202 Revision 1 dated 4 June 2008 or later EASA approved revision refers.

Note 2:  BAe Systems (Operations) Limited All Operators Message (AOM) 08-015V refers.

Compliance:

As specified in the requirement document.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 October 2008.

Background:

There have been a number of incidents where wing-to-fuselage or MLG door fairing panels have detached from the aircraft during flight.  Subsequent inspection revealed the loss of the fairing panels to be due to failure of certain steel grommets, P/N SL5183 and HC535H0312, through which the attachment bolts are inserted.  These failures may have been caused by improper installation of the grommets or damage resulting from maintenance procedures relating to paint stripping and repainting, allowing air loads to pull the panel through the grommet.  A detached panel during flight could cause damage or loss of control of the aircraft.

This directive requires repetitive inspections of the wing-to-fuselage & MLG door fairing panel grommets and, when damage is detected, the accomplishment of corrective actions.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

1 October 2008