AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BN-2/51 Amdt 2 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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.
Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BN-2/51
Amdt 3
Main Landing Gear Upper Torque Link Attachment Lug
10/2002
Applicability: All BN2, BN2A, BN2B, and BN2T Series Islander aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Inspect in accordance with FHL Service Bulletin 32-4 Issue 5, Revision 2, dated 15 June 2002.
2. Replace Main Undercarriage Assembly Part Number 3499H1 with Assembly Part Number 3499H2, in accordance with FHL Service Bulletin (SB) 32-4 Issue 5, SB 32-4 Issue 5 Revision 1, or SB 32-4 Issue 5 Revision 2.
Note: B-N Group Ltd Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 170 Issue 6 refers.
Compliance: 1. As specified in the Requirement document.
2. Within 1,000 landings after 9 January 2002, or before 30 September 2002, whichever occurs first.
The compliance times remain unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effe ctive on 3 October 2002.
Background: There have been occurrences of main leg cylinders exhibiting fatigue cracks at the torque link lugs, which could result in detachment of the torque links under subsequent heavy static loads. In addition, a recent occurrence of detachment of the torque link showed no such evidence of cracking prior to failure under heavy static load.
Amendment 3 is issued in response to a revision of the Requirement document, which corrects Figure 7 part numbers.
Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BN-2/51 Amdt 3 (continued)
Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 24 January 2002. Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 August 1986. The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 July 1985.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 August 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 September 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced Amendment 3 to the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BN-2/51 for the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes in 2002. This legislative instrument aimed to address the issue of fatigue cracks at the torque link lugs of the main leg cylinders, which could lead to the detachment of the torque links under heavy static loads. The AD was enacted to ensure the safety of all BN2, BN2A, BN2B, and BN2T Series Islander aircraft by mandating inspections and replacements in accordance with specified service bulletins. The objective was to correct the unsafe condition identified, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft. The AD was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and became effective on 3 October 2002.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BN-2/51 Amdt 3 issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to all BN2, BN2A, BN2B, and BN2T Series Islander aircraft. This directive mandates actions to address a critical safety concern involving the main landing gear upper torque link attachment lug, which has exhibited instances of fatigue cracks that could lead to detachment of the torque links under heavy static loads. The requirement set out in the directive includes a mandatory inspection in accordance with specified service bulletins and the replacement of the main undercarriage assembly part, as detailed in the requirement section. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 1,000 landings following 9 January 2002 or before 30 September 2002, whichever is earlier. This AD is applicable across the entire Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting its national jurisdictional reach. Notably, the AD does not exclude any specific entities or operations within its scope, thus encompassing all relevant aircraft within the specified series. The AD extends its applicability through subordinate service bulletins and related documentation, ensuring comprehensive guidance for compliance.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) focuses on the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Islander aircraft, specifically addressing the safety concern related to the main landing gear upper torque link attachment lug. The AD (AD/BN-2/51 Amdt 3) mandates that all BN2, BN2A, BN2B, and BN2T Series Islander aircraft must undergo an inspection as per FHL Service Bulletin 32-4 Issue 5, Revision 2 dated 15 June 2002, and must replace the Main Undercarriage Assembly Part Number 3499H1 with Assembly Part Number 3499H2, in accordance with specified service bulletins. The directive responds to instances where main leg cylinders have exhibited fatigue cracks at the torque link lugs, which could lead to detachment under heavy static loads, potentially compromising the aircraft's safety.
The AD imposes clear obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. They are required to perform the specified inspection and replacement of the undercarriage assembly within the stipulated timeframe. This involves adhering to the instructions laid out in the FHL Service Bulletin and related documents to ensure the aircraft's main landing gear is safe for operation. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and legal consequences.
In terms of penalties and consequences, while the AD itself does not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with ADs can lead to serious repercussions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance and can take action against operators who fail to adhere to the ADs. This could include fines, enforcement actions, and in severe cases, grounding of the aircraft. The overarching objective of this AD is to ensure that all BN-2 Series Islander aircraft meet the required safety standards to prevent any risk of detachment of the torque links, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft.