2006-23-12: Hydraulic accumulators

2006-23-12 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-14824. Docket No. FAA- 2006-25388; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-086-AD. Effective Date (a) This AD becomes effective December 18, 2006. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes; and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped with hydraulic accumulators part number (P/N) AIR91666-0, -1, or -2 installed. Unsafe Condition (d) This AD results from report that one hydraulic accumulator failed in service, which caused the loss of the yellow hydraulic system when the airplane was configured for landing. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the pressure skin, failure of certain hydraulic systems, contamination of the cabin with hydraulic mist, increased workload for the flightcrew associated with the loss of one or more hydraulic circuits, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. Compliance (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Inspection To Determine Serial Number (S/N) (f) Within 48 hours after the effective date of this AD, inspect all P/N AIR91666-0, -1, and -2 hydraulic accumulators to determine whether any hydraulic accumulator is installed that has an S/N identified in paragraph C of the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29- A046, dated March 14, 2006. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the S/N can be conclusively determined from that review. Replacement or Repetitive Inspections (g) If any accumulator with an affected S/N is identified during the inspection required by paragraph (f) ofthis AD, do the action in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD. Do all actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29-A046, dated March 14, 2006, except where the service bulletin specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (1) Before further flight: Replace the hydraulic accumulator with a new or serviceable accumulator. (2) Before further flight: Do a detailed inspection for signs of failure (leaking or cracking) of the hydraulic accumulator, and replace any failed accumulator before further flight. If there is no sign of failure, repeat the inspection thereafter at the applicable interval in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of this AD. Within 75 days after the effective date of this AD, replace the affected hydraulic accumulator with a new or serviceable accumulator. Doing the replacement terminates the repetitive inspections.(i) At intervals not to exceed 48 hours. (ii) Before further flight following a report of hydraulic fumes in the cabin air supply, or after a hydraulic fluid low-level warning; and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 48 hours. (h) For airplanes on which more than one affected accumulator is identified during the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Within 12 days after the effective date of this AD, replace any affected accumulator in accordance with paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, so that no more than one accumulator with an affected S/N remains on the airplane; and inspect any remaining accumulator at the applicable interval in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. Note 1: BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin ISB.29-A046, dated March 14, 2006, refers to APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-02, dated March 2006, as an additional source of service information for determining if an accumulator is a serviceable accumulator. The procedures include disassembling the accumulator cylinder, and testing it for cracking. Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: "An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required." Parts Installation (i) Except as provided by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD, no hydraulic accumulator having P/N AIR91666-0, -1, or -2 that has an S/N identified in paragraph C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29-A046, dated March 14, 2006, may be installed on any airplane except for accumulators on which the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-02, dated March 2006, have been done. Special Flight Permit Limited (j) Using special flight permits (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) before all affected hydraulic actuators are replaced on the airplane is allowed only if the airplane has not flown more than 5 flight cycles since the last inspection done in accordance with paragraph (g)(2) or (h) of this AD, as applicable; and if the flight can be accomplished in one flight cycle with the airplane unpressurized. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (k)(1) The Manager, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Related Information (l) European Aviation Safety Agency(EASA) emergency airworthiness directive 2006-0061--E [Corrected], dated March 17, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (m) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29-A046, dated March 14, 2006, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA,call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .