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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No : 2008-0003 

Date: 08 January 2008

No person may operate an aircraft to which an Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the 

requirements of that Airworthiness Directive unless otherwise agreed with the Authority of the State 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, British 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 present Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

requires the accomplishment of inspections and rectification actions, as 

necessary. 

Effective Date: 22 January 2008 
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Compliance: 

Required from the effective date of this 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 requirements, within 30 days of the effective 

date of this AD, revise the SSI portion of the aircraft inspection schedule in 

accordance with paragraph 1D(2) of the ISB; 

(2) For aircraft subject to MRBR requirements, the revisions to the SSI portion 

of the aircraft inspection schedule can 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 original 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 service, 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 revisions is acceptable for compliance 

with the requirements of this AD. 

Remarks:

1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, 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 technical 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