EASA AD No.: 2014-0246

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2014-0246 

Date: 12 November 2014 

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation 

(EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the 

European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 

2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

Design Approval Holder’s Name: 

SHORT BROTHERS PLC 

Type/Model designation(s): 

SC7 Skyvan Series 3 aeroplanes

Certification Ref.: United Kingdom Airworthiness Approval Number 9877, Addendum 1 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Supersedure: None 

ATA 32 Landing Gear – Nose Landing Gear – Inspection 

Manufacturer(s): Short Brothers PLC (formerly Short Brothers Ltd; Short Brothers & Harland 

Ltd.) 

Applicability: SC7 Skyvan Series 3 aeroplanes, all variants, all serial numbers. 

Reason: A fracture of the nose landing gear (NLG) sliding tube was reported. The 

subsequent investigation determined fatigue cracking as possible cause of the 

failure. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to structural failure of 

the NLG, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane during take-off or 

landing. 

To address this unsafe condition, the Messier-Dowty Ltd, the NLG 

manufacturer, issued Service Bulletin (SB) 32-17M to provide inspection 

instructions. Consequently Short Brothers PLC issued SB 32-74 which 

references Messier-Dowty Ltd SB 32-17M. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires one-time visual and 

fluorescent penetrant inspections and, depending on findings, accomplishment 

of applicable corrective action(s). 

Effective Date: 26 November 2014 
EASA AD No.: 2014-0246

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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

Note: Instructions provided by Messier-Dowty Ltd SB 32-17M are referenced in 

Short Brothers PLC SB 32-74. 

(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, accomplish a visual 

inspection of the NLG sliding tube in accordance with the instructions of 

paragraph 3.A of Messier-Dowty Ltd SB 32-17M. 

(2) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, accomplish a fluorescent 

penetrant inspection of the sliding tube in accordance with the instructions 

of paragraph 3.B of Messier-Dowty Ltd SB 32-17M. 

(3) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1), or that required by 

paragraph (2) of this AD, as applicable, any crack is detected, before next 

flight, report the findings to Short Brothers PLC to obtain approved repair 

instructions and accomplish the repair accordingly.

(4) Within 30 days after accomplishment of each inspection as required by 

paragraphs (1) and (2) of this AD, report the inspection results to Short 

Brothers PLC (see contact details in Remarks section) by completing the 

Inspection Results Proforma in accordance with the instructions of 

paragraph 3.C.(2) of Messier-Dowty Ltd SB 32-17M. 

(5) From the effective date of this AD, installation of a sliding tube on an NLG 

or an NLG on an aeroplane, as applicable, is allowed, provided that, before 

next flight after installation, the NLG sliding tube passes the inspections in 

accordance with the instructions of paragraph 3 of Messier-Dowty Ltd SB 

32-17M. 

Ref. Publications: Short Brothers PLC SB 32-74 original issue dated 01 November 2014, 

Messier-Dowty Ltd SB 32-17M original issue dated 01 November 2014. 

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. Based on the required actions and the compliance time, EASA have 

decided to issue a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the 

public consultation process until after publication. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: 

Airworthiness, Short Brothers PLC, P.O. Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast, 

BT3 9DZ Northern Ireland, United Kingdom; 

Telephone +44(0)2890462469; 

E-mail Michael.mulholland@aero.bombardier.com.