Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17102 · Fuselage
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Airplanes
This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A airplanes; and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any category; all serial numbers; on which the left-hand sidewall of the nose landing gear (NLG) bay has one of the following part numbers (P/N) installed: HC537L0002-000, -002, and -004; HC537H8021-000, -002, and -004; and HC537H8018-000.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found on the left-hand sidewall well on the nose landing gear (NLG). This AD requires performing a repetitive high frequency eddy current inspection of the stiffeners on the left-hand sidewall on the NLG bay for cracks, and repair or replace the sidewall if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct failure of the sidewall, which could result in consequent in-flight rapid decompression of the cabin and injury to the 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.
Before the accumulation of 12,000 total flight cycles or within 4,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a high frequency eddy current inspection of the stiffeners on the left-hand sidewall on the NLG bay adjacent to the boss at the NLG retraction jack attachment pin hole, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-229, Revision 1, dated November 22, 2010. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12,000 flight cycles, except as provided in paragraph (i) of this AD.
If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, any crack is found in the sidewall stiffeners, before further flight repair the sidewall stiffeners, using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (or its delegated agent); or do the replacement specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
Replacement of the sidewall stiffeners, with sidewall P/N HC537L0002-006, on any airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-229, Revision 1, dated November 22, 2010, terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
As of the effective date of this AD: No person may install a sidewall stiffener with P/N HC537L0002-000, -002, or -004; HC537H8021-000, -002, or -004; or HC537H8018-000; on any airplane.
