AD/Whe/8 MLG Wheel Assembly Part Numbers C20500000 and C20452000 (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.

Wheels and Tyres

AD/WHE/8 MLG Wheel Assembly Part Numbers
C20500000 and C20452000 13/2006

Applicability:

Messier-Goodrich S.A. or Goodrich-Messier Inc. Main Landing Gear (MLG) Wheel Assembly Part Numbers C20500000 and C20452000; known to be installed on, but not limited to, Airbus Model A321 series aircraft.

Requirement:

Inspect the MLG wheel assembly in accordance with the instructions of Messier-Bugatti and Goodrich Service Bulletin (SB) C20452-32-3254 Revision 2, or later approved revision.

If damage is found, before further flight, repair the MLG wheel assembly in accordance with SB C20452-32-3254 Revision 2, or later approved revision.

Note:  EASA AD 2006-0328 refers.

Compliance:

At each tyre change after 21 December 2006.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 21 December 2006.

Background:

Reports were received of wheel hub corrosion, mainly under the heat shield overlap area. In some cases a circular crack initiated from a corrosion pit.  Cracks that initiate under the bead seat may not lead to pressure loss, but can result in flange separation, as experienced by some operators.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

9 November 2006