AD/Jetstream/95 Amdt 2 Steering Actuator Piston Rod Cracking (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/JETSTREAM/95 Amdt 1 and issues the following 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 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes

AD/JETSTREAM/95 Amdt 2 Steering Actuator Piston Rod Cracking 6/2005 DM

Applicability:

All British Aerospace HP 137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, 3100, and 3200 aircraft.

Requirement:

1.    For aircraft steering jacks previously inspected in accordance with BAe Systems Service Bulletin (SB) 32-JA020741 dated 02 Nov 2002:

a.     Recalculate the safe life limit for the piston rod in accordance with the BAe Systems SB 32-JA030644 dated 06 October 2003 or later approved revisions.

b.    Replace any steering jack with a serviceable unit where the piston rod does not meet the safe life limit as calculated in the Requirement 1a of this Airworthiness Directive (AD).

c.     Re-torque the piston rod eye-end in accordance with the SB 32-JA030644 or later approved revisions.

2.    For aircraft steering jacks NOT inspected previously in accordance with Service Bulletin (SB) 32-JA020741:

a.     Inspect the piston rod for cracking, measure the release torque and measure the tab washer deformation in accordance with Part 1 of the accomplishment instructions of SB 32-JA030644 or later approved revisions.

b.    Replace any steering jack that has a cracked piston rod with a serviceable unit.

c.     Calculate the safe life limit for the piston rod in accordance with SB 32-JA030644 or later approved revisions.

d.    Replace any steering jack with a serviceable unit where the piston rod does not meet the safe life limit as calculated in Requirement 2a of this AD.

e.     Re-torque the piston rod eye-end in accordance with the SB 32-JA030644 or later approved revisions.

3.    Prior to installation in an aeroplane, inspect the steering jack piston rod and determine the safe life in accordance with the paragraph 2 of the SB 32-JA030644 or later approved revisions.

Note:  UK CAA AD G-2004-0029 which supersedes 003-11-2002 refers.

Compliance:

For Requirement 1:  Unless previously accomplished, within 3 months from the effective date of this AD.

For Requirement 2:  Within 2 months from the effective date of this AD.

For Requirement 3:  From the effective date of this AD.

This Amendment becomes effective on 22 April 2005.

Background:

Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) corrects the typographical errors noted in Amendment 1.

The manufacturer determined that the fatigue life of the subject component needed further revision and amendment 1 of this AD detailed the requirements for recalculating the safe life of the subject component.

Cracks have been found in the steering jack piston rod adjacent to the eye-end and their origin is traceable to the application of a high torque applied to the eye-end during assembly of the unit.  Severe cracking can lead to failure of the jack and loss of steering control.

The Amendment 1 of this AD became effective on 17 March 2005.

The original issue of this AD became effective 12 June 2003.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

20 April 2005