AD 92-02-10

92-02-10 AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-8146. Docket 91-NM-185-AD.

Applicability: Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 series airplanes; Serial Numbers 16, 17, 19, 20, 22 through 34, 36 through 39, 41 through 45, 47 through 49, 54, 59, and 107; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent collapse of the nose landing gear (NLG), accomplish the following:

(a) Perform a dye penetrant inspection to detect cracks of the four hinge pins of the left-hand and right-hand NLG leg and drag braces, and accomplish emergency extension functional tests, in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0039, Revision 1, dated August 1, 1991, at the applicable time specified below:

(1) For airplane serial numbers 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31, 33, 37, 39, 41, 44, 45, 47, 48, and 59: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, or prior to the accumulation of 250 hours time-in-service, whicheveroccurs first.

(2) For airplane serial numbers 16, 20, 25, 27, 29, 32, 34, 36, 38, 42, 43, 49, 54, and 107: Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, or prior to the accumulation of 500 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs first.

(b) If a cracked hinge pin is found as a result of the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, replace it with a new hinge pin or with a hinge pin that previously has been inspected and found to be free of cracks, in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42- 32-0039, Revision 1, dated August 1, 1991.

(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no hinge pin shall be installed on any airplane unless that hinge pin is new or has been inspected in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0039, Revision 1, dated August 1, 1991, and found to be free of cracks.

(d) An alternative method 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, Transport Airplane Directorate.

NOTE: The request should be forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may 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 the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(f) The inspection and replacement of hinge pins required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0039, Revision 1, dated August 1, 1991, which incorporates the following list of effective pages:

Page Numbers Revision Number Date 1, 12, and 13-14 1 August 1, 1991 2, 3, 4, 5-6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 15 Blank July 18, 1991

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue S.W., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 1100 L Street N.W., Room 8401, Washington, D.C.

(g) This amendment (39-8146, AD 92-02-10) becomes effective on March 2, 1992.