AD 90-08-06

90-08-06 AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-6566. Docket No. 89-NM-251-AD.

Applicability: All Model ATR42 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent failure of the main landing gear wheel, due to cracked spokes, accomplish the following:

A. For wheels with Loral Part Number (P/N) 5006856, 5006856-1, and 5006856-2, having serial numbers OCT83-001 through OCT86-377, with the exception of serial numbers OCT86-001 through OCT86 071: Within 7 days or 100 landings after the last inspection in accordance with AD 88-09-04, whichever occurs later, perform a visual inspection of the inboard wheel halves, with the airplane jacked, to detect cracks, in accordance with Loral Systems Group Service Bulletin ATR42-32-40-1, Revision 2, dated June 23, 1987. Repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 7 days or 100 landings, whichever occurs later. If a crack is detected, only one additional landing may be made after the detection of that crack before the cracked inboard wheel half must be replaced.

B. For wheels with Loral Part Number (P/N) 5006856, 5006856-1, and 5006856-2, having serial numbers OCT83-001 through OCT86-377, with the exception of serial numbers OCT86-001 through OCT86-071: At each tire change, perform an eddy current inspection or other nondestructive test of the inboard wheel halves to detect cracks, in accordance with Loral Systems Group Service Bulletin ATR42-32-40-1, Revision 2, dated June 23, 1987. Replace any cracked inboard wheel half before further flight.

NOTE: MLG wheels with Loral Part Number 5006856-2, serial numbers OCT86-001 through OCT86-071 and NOV86-072 through AUG87-376, are factory built new wheels, and are not subject to the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraphs A. and B., above.

C. Replacement of inboard wheel halves with a new reinforced half wheel and replacement of the existing hub spacer with a modified hub spacer, in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0017, dated January 19, 1988, or Revision 1, dated May 20, 1988 (reference Loral Service Bulletin ATR42-32-40-4, dated July 15, 1987), constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection required by paragraphs A. and B., above.

An alternate means of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region.

NOTE: The request should be forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), who will either concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

E. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base in order to comply with the requirements of this AD.

All persons affected by this directive who have not already received the appropriate servicedocuments from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. These documents may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, Transport Airplane Directorate, 17900 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, Washington, or the Standardization Branch, 9010 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, Washington.

This amendment supersedes Amendment 39-5907, AD 88-09-04.

This amendment (39-6566, AD 90-08-06) becomes effective on May 11, 1990.