92-02-11 AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-8147. Docket 91-NM-163-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR42-200, -300, -320 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent loss of the wheel assembly, accomplish the following:
(a) Perform a boroscope inspection to detect corrosion of the main landing gear (MLG) wheel axles at the jacking dome hole level, in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0038, Revision 1, dated June 24, 1991, at the applicable time specified below:
NOTE: The Aerospatiale Service Bulletin references Messier-Bugatti Service Bulletin 631-32-071, Revision 1, dated July 5, 1991, as an additional information source.
(1) For airplanes on which an axle has accumulated 10,000 or more landings as of the effective date of this AD, within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes on which an axle has accumulated 8,000 or more landingsbut less than 10,000 landings as of the effective date of this AD, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(3) For airplanes on which an axle has accumulated 6,000 or more landings but less than 8,000 landings as of the effective date of this AD, within 120 days after the effective date of this AD.
(4) For airplanes on which an axle has accumulated less than 6,000 landings as of the effective date of this AD, prior to the accumulation of 6,000 landings or within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(b) If no corrosion is found, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 3,200 landings.
(c) If corrosion is found, prior to further flight, perform an eddy current inspection to detect cracks in the wheel axle, in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0038, Revision 1, dated June 24, 1991.
(1) If no cracks are found, replace the swinger lever assembly prior to the accumulation of 50 additional landings, in accordance with the service bulletin.
(2) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the swinger lever assembly, in accordance with the service bulletin.
(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 inspections and replacement required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0038, Revision 1, dated June 24, 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 (39-8147, AD 92-02-11) becomes effective on March 2, 1992.