AD 2006-23-16 Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ Airplanes

Models named: BAe 146-100A, -200A, -300A series, Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, 146-RJ100A. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes; and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any category.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Modification (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the nose landing gear in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin 32-174-70676A, dated February 21, 2006. Note 1: BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin 32-174-70676A refers to Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 146-32-161, dated March 2, 2005, as an additional source of service information for accomplishing the modification. Note 2: BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin 32-174-70676A refers to the abutment ring as a spacer. BAE Systems (Operations) Limited BAe 146/Avro 146-RJ Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM) 32-42-17 401 identifies this part as an abutment ring (item 4). Item 3 of the AMM is identified as a spacer, but this is not the part described in the modification service bulletin. No Reporting (g) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Related Information (i) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive 2006-0137, dated May 23, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin 32-174-70676A, dated February 21, 2006, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/ federal_register/code_ of_federal_ regulations/ibr_ locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 7, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-19148 Filed 11-15-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from reports of loss of the nose wheel assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent the nose wheel nut from loosening, and consequently, the nose wheel assembly detaching from the airplane; and to prevent the nose wheel clamping loads from applying to the machined radius at the root of the stub axle, which could result in damage to the nose landing gear.