EASA AD AD-F100-98
Aerospace NDI Pty Ltd - Main Landing Gear Pistons Overhaul - Inspection / Removal
Summary
The Aerospace NDI Pty Ltd - Main Landing Gear Pistons Overhaul - Inspection / Removal is an Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority Airworthiness Directive (AD/F100/98) addressing Fokker Services F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes equipped with Goodrich Main Landing Gear pistons overhauled by Aerospace NDI Pty Ltd. It mandates inspection and removal of specific pistons treated with AeroNikl or Atotech plating processes due to potential safety risks. The directive applies to pistons identified by certain serial numbers and overhaul dates between October 2019 and November 2021.
What Changed
This new Airworthiness Directive requires detailed visual inspections of affected main landing gear pistons before each flight and mandates permanent removal from service of pistons overhauled using the AeroNikl process by 24 November 2022 and those overhauled using the Atotech process by 1 February 2024. It introduces specific compliance timelines and inspection procedures in line with Fokker Services All Operators Message AOF100.230#5.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because the affected pistons may suffer from hydrogen embrittlement due to non-compliance with required overhaul processes, risking piston cracking and potential dual wheel separation. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure timely inspections and removal to maintain aircraft safety and regulatory compliance, preventing unsafe components from remaining in service or entering the supply chain.
What To Do
Operators must conduct detailed visual inspections of the specified pistons before each flight following Fokker Services guidelines. Pistons overhauled with the AeroNikl process must be removed from service by 24 November 2022, while those overhauled with the Atotech process must be removed before 1 February 2024. All removed pistons must be rendered unsalvageable to prevent reuse.
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