EASA AD No : 2012-0003 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2012-0003 

Date: 06 January 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 EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.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]. 

Type 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 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 30 Ice and Rain Protection – Wing Leading Edge Anti-Icing Piccolo 

Tube End Cap – Inspection 

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 aeroplanes, all models, all serial numbers. 

Reason: An operator reported the loss of the wing leading edge anti-icing piccolo tube 

end caps on two aircraft. This was discovered during routine zonal 

inspections when the wing tips were removed. The loss of the end cap would 

result in a reduction in anti-icing efficiency, over the outboard portion of the 

leading edge of that wing, affecting approximately 25% of the wingspan 

towards the wing tip. 

The System Safety Analysis (SSA) classifies the loss of anti-icing of both of 

the outer wings as hazardous if the loss is not indicated to the crew. The loss 

of a piccolo tube end cap would not be indicated to the flight crew and, 

therefore, this reduction in anti-icing capability on one wing must also be 

classified as hazardous. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in ice accretion on 

the wing leading edge, or run-back ice and could lead to a reduction in the 

stall margin on approach together with a reduction in roll control authority. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-off inspection of the 

piccolo tube end caps. The results of this inspection will be used to establish 

a suitable repeat inspection period, which will be introduced through the 

Maintenance Review Board (MRB) process. 

Effective Date: 20 January 2012 
EASA AD No : 2012-0003 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the anti-icing 

piccolo tube end caps in accordance with paragraph 2.C of BAE 

Systems (Operations) Ltd Inspection Service Bulletin (ISB).30-025 at 

Initial Issue. 

(2) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, a lost or 

damaged anti-icing piccolo tube end cap is detected, before next flight, 

replace the tube assembly or repair it in accordance with an approved 

repair scheme. 

(3) Within 14 days after accomplishment of the inspection as required by 

paragraph (1) of this AD, submit a report of findings to BAE Systems 

(Operations) Ltd, in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 2.F of 

the ISB.30-025, using the inspection report form in the Appendix 1 of 

BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd ISB.30-025. 

Ref. Publications: BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.30-025 at 

Initial Issue, dated 19 April 2011. 

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. This AD was posted on 29 November 2011 as PAD 11-127 for 

consultation until 27 December 2011. No comments were received 

during the consultation period. 

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.