AD 2007-26-18

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 11, 2008.

(b) None.

(c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes; and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any category, all models, all serial numbers.

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29: Hydraulic power.

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

An accumulator cylinder had material defects and suffered an in-flight burst failure causing damage to the aircraft structure. This resulted in the issue of EASA Emergency AD 2006-0061-E [we issued AD 2006-23-12 to address that EASA AD] that required the identification and check of cylinders from known suspect batches. Further investigations and checks by the accumulator manufacturer have concluded that all cylinders from a particular supplier may not have been correctly inspected at manufacture. To prevent the risk of further failures, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires all accumulators with cylinders from this supplier to be identified and inspected prior to re-installation.

The corrective action includes replacing any accumulator found to have a defect.

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, identify the installed accumulator in accordance with paragraph 2.C. of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29-047, dated October 3, 2006, which makes reference to APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-03, dated July 2006.

(2) When an accumulator is identified as being affected by this AD, before further flight after accomplishing the actions required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, remove the accumulator in accordance with paragraph 2.D. of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29-047, dated October 3, 2006, and do a magnetic particle inspection of the cylinder for any defects in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-03, dated July 2006.

(3) If any defect is found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, before next flight, replace the accumulator with a serviceable unit in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-03, dated July 2006.

(4) After the effective date of this AD, no person may install a spare accumulator identified by APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-03, dated July 2006, as a replacement part, unless it has been inspected in accordance with APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-02, dated March 2006; or APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-03, dated July 2006 (see second Note in paragraph 1.D.(1) of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29-047, dated October 3, 2006, for further explanation).

Note:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows:

(1) Where the MCAI specifies to identify the installed accumulator within 6 weeks after the effective date of the AD, we have determined that the identification may be done within 30 months after the effective date of this AD to coincide with the compliance time for the magnetic particle inspection. In making this determination, we considered the maximum interval of time allowable for all affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety, fleet usage, and the availability of replacement parts.

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, ANM-116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2007-0076, dated March 21, 2007, and the service information listed in Table 1 of this AD for related information.

(i) You must use the service information specified in Table 2 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171; and APPH Ltd., Engineering Division, Unit 1, Pembroke Court, Chancellor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 1TG, England, United Kingdom.

(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.