Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14504 · Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 Airplanes
Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 Airplanes
This AD applies to Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes, certificated in any category; with main landing gear (MLG) side brace assemblies having part number (P/N) D22710000-() except -8, equipped with upper arms having P/N D56778-10.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes. This AD requires doing repetitive inspections of the upper arms of the main landing gear (MLG) side braces for missing or inadequately bonded identification plates; doing an ultrasonic inspection of the upper arm of the MLG side brace for any defects and related investigative/ corrective actions if necessary; and replacing the side brace assembly with a modified part. This AD results from an operator who reported experiencing an unlock warning for the MLG on the right side of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking of the upper arms of the side braces of the MLG, which could result in failure of the MLG during landing and possible damage to the airplane and injury to the flightcrew and passengers.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
The term “service bulletin,” as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins, as applicable:
(1) For the general visual inspection and ultrasonic inspection specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, respectively: Messier-Dowty Special Inspection Service Bulletin 631-32-181, Revision 2, dated June 3, 2005; and
(2) For the replacement specified in paragraph (j) of this AD: Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 631-32-176, Revision 1, dated June 2, 2004.
Within 2 months or 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever is first: Do a general visual inspection of the upper arms of the MLG side braces for inadequately bonded identification plates having P/Ns D61565-1, D61566-1, D61567-1, and D61568-1 and for any missing bead of glue, in accordance with the service bulletin. Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2 months or 500 flight hours, whichever is first: Repeat the inspection of the upper arm of the MLG side brace for any side brace assembly that has not been inspected in accordance with paragraph (h) of this AD or replaced as required by paragraph (j) of this AD.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.”
If any identification plate having P/N D61565-1, D61566-1, D61567-1, or D61568-1 or any bead of glue is missing or found inadequately bonded during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Within 25 flight hours since the most recent general visual inspection, do an ultrasonic inspection of the upper arm of the MLG side brace for any defects and do any related investigative and corrective actions as applicable, by doing all of the applicable actions specified in Part 2.B.(3) of the service bulletin; except where the service bulletin specifies replacing the side brace with a side brace equipped with an airworthy upper arm, replace it with a part modified in accordance with paragraph (j) of this AD. Any corrective actions must be done before further flight after doing the ultrasonic inspection.
(i) For airplanes on which the ultrasonic inspection specified in paragraph (h) of this AD has been accomplished in accordance with Messier-Dowty Special Inspection Service Bulletin 631-32-181, Revision 1, dated March 16, 2005: Within 25 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, or within 25 flight hours after the ultrasonic inspection, whichever is later, do all the applicable actions specified in paragraph (h) of this AD in accordance with Messier-Dowty Special Inspection Service Bulletin 631-32-181, Revision 2, dated June 3, 2005.
At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD: Remove the side brace assembly and replace it with a part modified by doing all of the actions in the service bulletin. Replacement of a side brace assembly with a modified part terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that modified side brace assembly only. If the side brace assembly of the left and right MLG is replaced with a modified part, no more work is required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes on which Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 631-32-072 has not been accomplished: Before the accumulation of 15,000 total flight cycles on a side brace assembly since new or since last overhaul, or 96 months on a side brace assembly since new or since last overhaul, whichever is first.
(2) For airplanes on which Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 631-32-072 has been accomplished: Before the accumulation of 18,000 total flight cycles on a side brace assembly since new or since last overhaul, or 96 months on a side brace assembly since new or since last overhaul, whichever is first.
Replacements done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 631-32-176, dated February 26, 2004, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (j) of this AD.
Although Messier-Dowty Special Inspection Service Bulletin 631-32-181, Revision 2, dated June 3, 2005, specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
