EASA AD No.: 2012-0191R1

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2012-0191R1 

Date: 06 November 2012 

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: 

BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LTD 

Type/Model designation(s): 

BAe 146 and AVRO 146-RJ aeroplanes 

TCDS Number: EASA.A.182 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Revision: This AD revises EASA AD 2012-0191 dated 21 September 2012. 

ATA 05 Time Limits / Maintenance Checks – Nose Landing Gear Main 

Fitting Life Limitation – Implementation 

Manufacturer(s): BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd, British Aerospace plc, British Aerospace 

(Commercial Aircraft) Ltd, British Aerospace (Operations) Ltd, British 

Aerospace Regional Aircraft Ltd, British Aerospace Regional Aircraft trading as 

Avro International Aerospace. 

Applicability: BAe 146 and AVRO 146-RJ aeroplanes, all models, all serial numbers. 

Reason: Several occurrences of the aeroplane`s Nose Landing Gear (NLG) Main Fitting 

cracking have been reported. Subsequently in different cases, NLG Main 

Fitting crack lead to collapsed NLG, locked NLG steering and an aeroplane`s 

un-commanded steering to the left. 

Cracks in the NLG Bell Housing are not detectable with the NLG fitted to the 

aeroplane and are difficult to detect during overhaul without substantial 

disassembly of the gear. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to degradation of directional control 

on the ground or an un-commanded turn to the left and a consequent loss of 

control of the aeroplane on the ground, possibly resulting in damage to the 

aeroplane and injury to occupants. 

Prompted by these findings, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued Inspection 

Service Bulletin (ISB) 32-186 (hereafter referred to as the ISB) to introduce a 

new safe life of 16 000 flight cycles (FC) for certain NLG main fittings, having a 

Part Number (P/N) as identified in Paragraph 1A, tables 1, 2 and 3 of the ISB. 

To correct this unsafe condition, EASA issued AD 2012-0191 to require 

implementation of the new safe-life limitation for the affected NLG main fittings 
EASA AD No.: 2012-0191R1

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and replacement of fittings that have already exceeded the new limit. 

Since that AD was issued, it was found that clarification is necessary regarding 

the existing NLG main fitting life limits. Consequently, this AD is revised by 

adding a Note to clarify that the current life limits, as specified in the applicable 

Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), remain valid and should be applied, 

pending compliance with this AD. 

Effective Date: Revision 1: 20 November 2012 

Original issue: 05 October 2012 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within the compliance time as specified in Table 1 of this AD, as 

applicable, and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 16 000 FC, replace 

each affected NLG main fitting, having a P/N as identified in Paragraph 

1A, tables 1, 2 and 3 of the ISB, in accordance with the accomplishment 

instruction of the ISB. 

Table 1 – Replacement thresholds 

FC accumulated by 

the NLG Main Fitting 

since first installation 

on an aeroplane 

Compliance Time 

Equal to or more 

than 29 000 FC 

Within 12 months after 05 October 2012 [the 

effective date of the original issue of this AD] 

Equal to or more 

than 20 000 FC but 

less than 29 000 FC 

Within 24 months after 05 October 2012 [the 

effective date of the original issue of this AD] 

Equal to or more 

than 16 000 FC but 

less than 20 000 FC 

Within 36 months after 05 October 2012 [the 

effective date of the original issue of this AD] 

Less than 16 000 FC Before accumulating 16 000 FC or within 36 

months after 05 October 2012 [the effective 

date of the original issue of this AD], 

whichever occurs later. 

Note: During the compliance time allowed by this AD, the existing NLG main 

fitting life limits as specified in the applicable AMM Chapter 5, which is also 

subject to an EASA AD, are still valid and should not be exceeded. 

(2) From 05 October 2012 [the effective date of the original issue of this AD], 

do not install a NLG main fitting, having a P/N as identified in Paragraph 

1A, tables 1, 2 and 3 of the ISB, on an aeroplane, unless in compliance 

with the requirements of this AD. 

(3) Compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this AD 

can be demonstrated by: 

(3.1) Revising as follows, the approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme 

(AMP) on the basis of which the operator or the owner ensures the 

continuing airworthiness of each operated aeroplane: 

 Incorporate the NLG Main Fitting life limitation as specified in the 

ISB, 

 and 

(3.2) Complying with the approved AMP as described in paragraph (3.1) 

of this AD. 
EASA AD No.: 2012-0191R1

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Ref. Publications: BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd ISB.32-186 initial issue dated 12 April 2012. 

The use of later approved revisions of this document 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. The original issue of this AD was posted on 14 August 2012 as PAD 12-

108 for consultation until 11 September 2012. The Comment Response 

Document can be found at http://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

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

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

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

this AD, please contact: 

BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd, Customer Information Department, 

Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, The United 

Kingdom; Telephone +44 1292 675207, Facsimile +44 1292 675704; 

E-mail: RApublications@baesystems.com.