AD 2011-08-11

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 26, 2011.

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-13-19, Amendment 39-14156.

(c) This AD applies to all BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Model BAe 146-100A, −200A, and −300A airplanes; and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any category.

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.

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

During the period 2001/2002, skin cracking was found adjacent to the butt joint forward of frame 19 * * *. The cracks emanated from chemically-etched pockets on the internal surface of the skin. * * * [C]racking in multiple adjacent bays * * * could compromise the structural integrity of the fuselage in the event that the multiple cracks joined into a single crack. * * *

During 2008, a further report was received at BAE Systems of a 13.78 inch crack in an AVRO 146-RJ that occurred 514 flight cycles (FC) short of the next 4 000-FC repetitive inspection interval. * * *

(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

(g) Within the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, perform an external eddy current inspection of the forward fuselage skin to detect cracking, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 1, dated May 18, 2004. Doing the inspection required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph of this AD.

(1) For Model BAe 146 series airplanes: Inspect before the accumulation of 16,000 total landings, or within 4,000 landings after the August 2, 2005 (the effective date of AD 2005-13-19), whichever is later.

(i) For areas where no crack is found, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 8,000 landings.

(ii) For areas where any crack is found, before further flight, perform repairs in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) (or its delegated agent), or EASA (or its delegated agent). No further inspection of any repaired area is required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(2) For Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes: Inspect before the accumulation of 10,000 total landings, or within 2,000 landings after August 2, 2005, whichever is later.

(i) For areas where no crack is found, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 4,000 landings.

(ii) For areas where any crack is found, before further flight, perform repairs in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, the CAA (or its delegated agent), or EASA (or its delegated agent). No further inspection of any repaired area is required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(h) Inspections accomplished before August 2, 2005, in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendices 2 and 3, all dated June 27, 2003, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Although BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 1, dated May 18, 2004, specifies to submit Appendix 1 of that service bulletin with certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) For Model BAe 146 airplanes: At the latest of the times specified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD, do an external eddy current inspection of the forward fuselage skin to detect cracking, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,600 flight cycles for areas specified in Drawings 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010, and at intervals not to exceed 4,600 flight cycles for areas specified in Drawings 1, 6, 8, and 9 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010. Doing the inspection required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane.

(1) Before the accumulation of 16,000 total flight cycles.

(2) Within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.

(3) Within the applicable times specified in paragraphs (j)(3)(i) and (j)(3)(ii) of this AD.

(i) For areas specified in Drawings 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010: Within 3,600 flight cycles after the last inspection done in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD.

(ii) For areas specified in Drawings 1, 6, 8, and 9 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010: Within 4,600 flight cycles after the last inspection done in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) For Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes: At the latest of the times specified in paragraph (k)(1), (k)(2), and (k)(3) of this AD, do an external eddy current inspection of the forward fuselage skin to detect cracking, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,400 flight cycles for areas specified in Drawings 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010, and 3,000 flight cycles for areas specified in Drawings 1, 6, 8, and 9 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010. Doing the inspection required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane.

(1) Before the accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles.

(2) Within 1,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.

(3) Within the applicable times specified in paragraphs (k)(3)(i) and (k)(3)(ii) of this AD.

(i) For areas specified in Drawings 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010: Within 3,600 flight cycles after the last inspection done in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD.

(ii) For areas specified in Drawings 1, 6, 8, and 9 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010: Within 4,600 flight cycles after the last inspection done in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD.

(l) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (j) or (k) of this AD, before further flight, accomplish the repair in accordance with a method approved by the FAA or EASA (or its delegated agent). Repair of an airplane in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph of this AD does not constitute terminating action for the inspection requirements of this AD.

(m) Inspections done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 2, dated November 17, 2008; or Revision 3, dated June 17, 2009; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD.

Note 1:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

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

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it to Attn: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

(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.

(o) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0070R1, dated July 2, 2010; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 1, dated May 18, 2004; and BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010; for related information.

(p) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 1, dated May 18, 2004; and BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010; as applicable; 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 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 4, dated June 10, 2010, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin ISB.53-167, including Appendix 2, Revision 1, dated May 18, 2004, on August 2, 2005 (70 FR 37022, June 28, 2005).

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED, Customer Information Department, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292 675704; e-mail RApublications@baesystems.com; Internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm.

(4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

(5) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.