EASA AD No : 2009-0268 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2009-0268 

Date: 17 December 2009 

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 : 

Fokker Services B.V.

Type/Model designation(s) : 

F28 Mark 0070 and Mark 0100 aeroplanes 

TCDS Number : EASA.A.037 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 32 Landing Gear – Main Landing Gear (MLG) Upper Side Brace 

Assembly – Modification / Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Fokker Aircraft B.V. 

Applicability: 

F28 Mark 0070 and Mark 0100 aeroplanes, all serial numbers, if equipped 

with Goodrich (formerly Menasco, Colt Industries) MLG units, fitted with Part 

Number (P/N) 41350-1 MLG upper side braces. 

Reason: 

The flight crew of a F28 Mark 0070 (Fokker 70) aeroplane received a MLG 

unsafe message after landing gear down selection during approach. After 

cycling the landing gear, only a LH MLG unsafe indication remained. A goaround was initiated and alternate landing gear down selection was 

performed twice, but the LH MLG did not lock down. During final approach, 

without further flight crew action, all 3 green lights illuminated and an 

uneventful landing was made. 

Inspection just after landing revealed a lot of ice near the LH MLG downlock 

actuator. Further investigation revealed that the piston rod of the downlock 

actuator had failed at the threaded end close to the eye end, which is 

attached to the lower lock link, and that the piston rod was broken in an 

overload by bending in the neck close to the threaded end. 

Based on the quantity and location of the ice, it is considered highly likely that 

the ice had formed between the upper end of the downlock actuator and the 

upper side brace, and was accumulated during taxi on slush- and snowcontaminated taxiways and runway at the departure airport. 

Ice in this location prevents the actuator from turning freely relative to the 

upper side brace during landing gear down selection, likely resulting in failure 

of the piston rod. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further cases of 
EASA AD No : 2009-0268 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

MLG extension problems, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane 

during landing roll-out. 

To address this unsafe condition and prevent the accumulation of water, 

slush and/or snow, Goodrich, the MLG manufacturer, has introduced a new 

upper side brace, Part Number (P/N) 41350-3, which has two additional drain 

holes. Goodrich Service Bulletin (SB) 41350-32-25 describes the modification 

of the P/N 41350-1 MLG upper side brace, introducing the two additional 

drain holes and consequent re-identification of the part to P/N 41350-3. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires modification of both (LH 

and RH) P/N 41350-1 MLG upper side braces, or replacement of the P/N 

41350-1 upper side braces with modified P/N 41350-3 upper side braces. 

Effective Date: 31 December 2009 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. 

(1) Within 8 000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, modify or 

replace the side stay upper braces of the LH and RH MLG in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Services SBF100-32-157 

and Goodrich SB 41350-32-25. 

(2) After modification of an aeroplane as required by paragraph (1) of this 

AD, do not install a Goodrich (formerly Menasco, Colt Industries) P/N 

41350-1 side stay upper brace assembly on that aeroplane. 

(3) After modification of an aeroplane as required by paragraph (1) of this 

AD, do not install a Goodrich (formerly Menasco, Colt Industries) MLG 

unit on that aeroplane, unless it has been verified that a P/N 41350-3 

side stay upper brace assembly is fitted on that MLG unit. 

Note: In an operational environment where slush and snow contaminated 

runways and taxiways in ground-icing conditions as defined in the AFM can 

be completely excluded over the full calendar year and for the operator’s 

complete operating network, the operator may consider to request the local 

authority to obtain an exemption for the actions required by this AD. 

Ref. Publications: 

Fokker Services SBF100-32-157 original issue dated 25 May 2009, or 

Revision 1 dated 07 October 2009. 

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

Goodrich SB 41350-32-25 dated 30 January 2009. 

Remarks :

1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. This AD was posted on 14 October 2009 as PAD 09-123 for consultation 

until 11 November. The Comment Response Document can be found at 

http://ad.easa.europa.eu/. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness 

Directives, Safety Management & Research 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: 

Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O.Box 231, 

2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, The Netherlands; 

telephone (31) 252-627-350; facsimile (31) 252-627-211; 

e-mail: technicalservices.fokkerservices@stork.com 

The referenced publication can be downloaded from 

www.myfokkerfleet.com