Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the swinging lever spacers in the left and right leg assemblies of the main landing gear with new, improved spacers. This action is necessary to prevent propagation of fatigue cracking, which could result in failure of the spacer base and could affect the symmetrical functioning of the braking system. Asymmetrical braking could result in the airplane overrunning the runway during takeoff or landing. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.