2009-20-07: Landing gear

2009-20-07 Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH: Amendment 39-16030; Docket No. FAA-2009-0574; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-028-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 3, 2009. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Models Dornier 228-100, Dornier 228-101, Dornier 228-200, Dornier 228-201, and Dornier 228-202 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing Gear. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: A stub axle failure of the main landing gear on a Dornier 228- 200 aeroplane was reported to RUAG Aerospace. Investigations revealed that the fracture of the axle--manufacturer Part Number (P/ N) A-511000B28B was due to fatigue. Already in the year 1993 two failures of P/N A-511000B28B axles occurred. Those events led in 1994 the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt--Germany's National Aviation Authority--to publish Airworthiness Directive (AD) D-1994-042 to mandate the replacement of A-511000B28B axles by improved-design axle with P/N A-511000C28B (Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH Service bulletin 228-214). It is believed that a misinterpretation of the Dornier 228 repair/maintenance documentation caused inadvertent installation of A-511000B28B axle on the accident aeroplane's main landing gear with P/N A-511000C00F. This configuration was not approved for installation and was therefore not addressed by LBA AD D-1994-042 or Dornier SB-228-214. The actions specified in this Airworthiness Directive are intended to prevent main landing gear failure, which could result in loss of control of the aeroplane during landing operations. The MCAI requires inspection of the main landing gear (MLG) and, if applicable, replacement of the MLG stub axle. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions following RUAG Aerospace Defence TechnologyDornier 228 Service Bulletin SB-228- 276, dated October 16, 2008: (1) Within the next 14 days after November 3, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the main landing gear (MLG) stub axle. (2) If any P/N A-511000B28B stub axle is found, before accumulation of 9,500 total landings on the axle, or before further flight if total landings on the axle exceed 9,500 total landings on November 3, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), replace the axle or the housing assembly with a new axle P/N A-511000C28B. If the total number of landings accumulated by the stub axle cannot be positively determined, the stub axle must be considered to have accumulated more than 9,500 total landings. (3) Operators that do not have landing (or cycle) records may determine the number of landings (or cycles) by dividing the number of hours time-in-service of each airplane by the time of the average flight for the aircraft of that type in the operator's fleet. Note 1: P/N A-511000C28B axle together with the housings P/N A- 511000C27B and P/N A-521000C27B form the Axle Assemblies P/N AD511010A00C and P/N AD521010A00C, which are life limited to 48,000 landings per the Dornier 228 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Manual (TLMCM) Chapter 05-10-10. (4) As of November 3, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), do not install MLG assemblies P/N A-511000C00F and P/N A-521000C00F fitted with a P/N A-511000B28B stub axle on any airplane. FAA AD Differences Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to EASA AD No.: 2009-0062, dated March 13,2009; and RUAG Aerospace Defence Technology Dornier 228 Service Bulletin SB- 228-276, dated October 16, 2008, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use RUAG Aerospace Defence Technology Dornier 228 Service Bulletin SB-228-276, dated October 16, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH, Dornier 228 Customer Support, P.O. Box 1253, 82231 Wessling, Federal Republic of Germany, telephone: +49 (0)8153-30-2280; fax: +49 (0) 8153-30-3030; E-mail: custsupport.dorner228@ruag.com; Internet: http://www.ruag.com/. (3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the Central Region, call (816) 329-3768. (4) You may also review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http:// www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.