AD/BAe 146/137 Nose Landing Gear (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 146/137 Nose Landing Gear 5/2009 TX

Applicability:

All Model BAe 146 and AVRO 146-RJ aircraft, all serial numbers, if a Messier-Dowty Nose Landing Gear (NLG) unit is installed that has been overhauled by Messier Services, Sterling, Virginia, United States of America.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2009-0043-E.

Note:  BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Alert ISB A32-180 original issue, or later EASA approved revision, refers.

Compliance:

Initial action to determine whether an affected NLG unit is installed on the aeroplane is required before further flight after 3 March 2009.  Thereafter, as specified in the Requirement document.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 March 2009.

Background:

A crack detected at the top of an NLG oleo in June 2000 prompted BAE Systems to issue Inspection Service Bulletin (ISB) 32-158, which was classified mandatory by the UK CAA.  Optional terminating action for the NDT inspections was provided by incorporation of Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin (SB) 146-32-150.  As part of a recent accident investigation, the examination of a fractured NLG main fitting showed that SB 146-32-150 had not been incorporated, although the records indicated that it had been.  BAE Systems has determined that more NLG units could be similarly affected that have been overhauled at the same facility.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

2 March 2009