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 39.1 (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 146/110 Pressure Floor Over Main Landing Gear Bay
5/2004
Applicability: Model BAe 146 Series aircraft without Modification HCM00972A or HCM00972C incorporated.
Requirement: 1. Aircraft without Modification HCM00972A or HCM00972C and without Modification HCM00744M or HCM00850A:
- Carry out an initial inspection of the pressure floor over the main landing gear bay for cracks, in accordance with paragraph 2 of BAE Systems Service Bulletin (SB) 53-170, dated 8 August 2003.
b. Carry out the initial inspection in accordance with paragraph 2 of SB 53-170.
c. Repeat the inspection in accordance with paragraph 2 of SB 53-170.
Where cracks or other damage are detected during any inspection, before further flight, repair in accordance with SB 53-170 or an approved repair scheme.
2. Aircraft without Modification HCM00972A or HCM00972C and with Modification HCM00744M or HCM00850A:
- Carry out an initial inspection of the pressure floor over the main landing gear bay for cracks, in accordance with paragraph 2 of SB 53-170.
b. Carry out the initial inspection in accordance with paragraph 2 of SB 53-170.
c. Repeat the inspection in accordance with paragraph 2 of SB 53-170.
Where cracks or other damage are detected during any inspection, before further flight, repair in accordance with SB 53-170 or an approved repair scheme.
Note: UK CAA AD G-2004-0004 refers.
British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BAe 146/110 (continued)
Compliance: 1.a. Before the accumulation of 15,000 flights.
1.b. If the aircraft has exceeded 14,500 flights at the effective date of this Directive, within a further 500 flights.
1.c. At intervals not to exceed 1,000 flights.
2.a. Before the accumulation of 15,000 flights.
2.b. If the aircraft has exceeded 14,000 flights at the effective date of this Directive, within a further 1,000 flights.
2.c. At intervals not to exceed 3,000 flights.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 May 2004.
Background: Fatigue induced cracking can occur in the fuselage pressure skin above the left and right main landing gear bay as a result of cabin pressure cycling. The problem was previously recognised and the affected area is already inspected as part of SSI task 53-20-153. Significant cracking in the affected area of the fuselage skin has been reported following unrelated maintenance, demonstrating that the published inspection technique does not guarantee that all damage will be detected.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 April 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 April 2004.