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## EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No : 2008-0003

Date: 08 January 2008

No person may operate an aircraft to which an Airworthine ss Directive applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that Airworthiness Dir ective unless otherwise agreed with the Authority of the St ate of Registry.



### Type Approval Holder’s Name:

BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LTD Type/Model designation(s):

BAe 146 and AVRO 146-RJ aircraft

TCDS Number: United Kingdom BA16

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None



### ATA 53 Fuselage – Wing Links – Identification / Inspection / Replacement

Manufacturer(s): BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd, British Aerospace plc, British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Ltd, British Aerospace (Operations) Ltd, British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Ltd, Britis h Aerospace Regional Aircraft trading as Avro International Aerospace.

Applicability: BAe 146 and AVRO 146-RJ series aircraft, all Models and serial numbers as identified in paragraph 1.A(1) of BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd Inspection Service Bulletin (ISB) 53-175 Revision 1.

Reason: A potential fleet wide problem has been identified regarding the interchanging of wing links on all BAe 146 & AVRO 146-RJ aircraft during scheduled maintenance. Some operators erroneously believed that these parts were interchangeable. The effects of changing winglinks has resulted in either a shorter or longer wing link being fitted, which introduces local stresses in the wing top and bottom surfaces local to rib 2, wing links and wing link fitting attachment and the fuselage local to Frames 26 and 29. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a reduction of structural integrity of the fuselage/wing attachment with possible catastrophic consequences.

For the reasons described above, the pr esent Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires the accomplishment of inspec tions and rectification actions, as necessary.

Effective Date: 22 January 20082/2 Compliance: Required from the effective date of th is AD, perform the following actions referenced in BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd ISB 53-175 Revision 1:

Note 1: Where the actions required by this AD are different from those stated in the ISB, the AD actions take precedence.
(1) For aircraft subject to MRBR require ments, within 30 days of the effective date of this AD, revise the SSI porti on of the aircraft inspection schedule in accordance with paragraph 1D(2) of the ISB;
(2) For aircraft subject to MRBR require ments, the revisions to the SSI portion of the aircraft inspection schedule c an be terminated by performing the actions in paragraph 1D(3) of the ISB;
(3) With reference to paragraph 1D(4) of the ISB, for operational aircraft subject to MRBR to SSID transition requirements or SSID requirements, determine the status of the wing links in accordance with paragraph 2C of the ISB and replace all the wing links which are not within tolerance. This action must be carried out prior to the aircraft reaching its MRBR airframe life limit;
(4) When inspection to paragraph 2C of the ISB is required, Part A of the ISB must be accomplished initially and the relevant Inspection Reports completed and returned to BAE Systems per paragraph 2E of the ISB. For those links that cannot be confirmed as or iginal by Part A (if for example the part number is missing or unreadable) then the documentation check of Part B may be done. If the check of the aircraft technical records does not positively identify the subject wing links as original, Part C or Part D, as applicable, must be carried out and the relevant Inspection Reports completed and returned to BAE Systems per paragraph 2E of the ISB;
(5) With reference to paragraph 1D(5) of the ISB, for non-operational aircraft (e.g. in storage) subject to MRBR to SSID transition requirements or SSID requirements, prior to return to serv ice, determine the status of the wing links in accordance with paragraph 2C of the ISB and replace all the wing links which are not within tolerance.

Note 2: Inspections and rectification work previously carried out in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd ISB. 53-175 Initial Issue also satisfy the requirements of this AD.

Note 3: Where the ISB states that a task “...can be delayed for up to 12 months from receipt of the ISB”, for the purpose of this AD that means that task can be delayed for up to 12 months from the effective date of this AD.

Ref. Publications: BAE SYSTEMS (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin 53-175 Revision 1; the use of later approved re visions is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substant iated, EASA can accept Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD.
2. This PAD was posted on 12 November 2007 as PAD 07-202 for consultation until 10 December 2007. The Comment Response Document can be found at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/

. 3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the AD Focal Point – Certification Directorate, EASA, E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu
4. For any questions concerning the tec hnical content of the requirements in this AD, please contact: Project Management Group, Customer Information Department, BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS ), Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland. Telephone: +44 1292 675207, Fax: +44 1292 675704, E-mail: RApublications@baesystems.com