AD/Do 228/16 Main Landing Gear Stub Axle (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.

Dornier 228 Series Aeroplanes

AD/DO 228/16 Main Landing Gear Stub Axle 5/2009 DM

Applicability:

Model 228-100, -101, -200, -201 and -202 aircraft, all serial numbers.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2009-0062.

Note:  RUAG Aerospace Dornier 228 Service Bulletin No. SB-228-276 original issue, or later EASA approved revision, refers.

Compliance:

Within 14 days after 19 March 2009, unless already accomplished.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 19 March 2009.

Background:

A stub axle failure of the main landing gear on a Dornier 228-200 aircraft was reported to RUAG Aerospace.  Investigations revealed that the fracture of the axle was due to fatigue.  Two previous failures of the same axle part number occurred in 1993, which led to the issue of LBA AD D-1994-042 which mandated the replacement of part number A-511000B28B axles by improved design axle part number A-511000C28B.  The actions specified by this Directive are intended to prevent main landing gear failure, which could result in loss of control of the aircraft during landing operations.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

17 March 2009