99-25-11: Retraction Attachment Boss

99-25-11 BRITISH AEROSPACE REGIONAL AIRCRAFT (Formerly British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-11454. Docket 98-NM-331-AD. Issued December 1, 1999. Applicability: Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, as listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.53-152, dated October 8, 1998, certificated in any category. NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification,alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To detect and correct fatigue cracking along the face of the retraction attachment boss in the nose landing gear sidewall, which could result in premature extension of the nose landing gear or result in depressurization of the airplane, accomplish the following: Repetitive Inspections (a) Prior to the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles, or within 200 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform an eddy current inspection to detect cracking along the face of the retraction attachment boss in the nose landing gear sidewall, in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.53-152, dated October 8, 1998. Thereafter, repeat the eddy current inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,600 flight cycles. Repair (b) If any crack is detected, prior to further flight, repair or reinspect in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Civil Aviation Authority (or its delegated agent). For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, as required by this paragraph, the Manager s approval letter must specifically reference this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116. NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116. Special Flight Permits (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. Incorporation by Reference (e) The inspections shall be done in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.53-152, dated October 8, 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North CapitolStreet, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British airworthiness directive 015-10-98. (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 1, 2000.