EASA AD CF-2022-56
Landing Gear — Main Landing Gear Retract Actuator Piston Rod — Safe Life Limitation Introduction
Summary
Airworthiness Directive CF-2022-56 is issued by Transport Canada and applies to all serial numbers of the MHI RJ Aviation ULC model CL-600-2E25 aircraft. It introduces a safe life limitation for the main landing gear retract actuator piston rod, part number 55615-1, to ensure continued airworthiness and prevent potential landing gear failures. This directive mandates updates to the Maintenance Requirements Manual to include this limitation and periodic replacement of the affected piston rod.
What Changed
This new Airworthiness Directive introduces a safe life limitation for the main landing gear retract actuator piston rod, P/N 55615-1, based on updated fatigue testing that was not previously compliant with the Qualification Test Plan. It requires incorporation of a new airworthiness limitation task in the Maintenance Requirements Manual and establishes specific replacement intervals for the piston rod to mitigate failure risk.
Why It Matters
The directive addresses a critical safety concern where exceeding the safe life of the piston rod could lead to piston failure, causing undamped free fall extension of the main landing gear and potential collapse upon landing. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent in-flight mechanical failures and ensure safe landing gear operation. Compliance ensures regulatory adherence and reduces risk of costly incidents or accidents.
What To Do
Operators must incorporate the new airworthiness limitation task 32-32-05-709 into their Maintenance Requirements Manual within 60 days of the directive's effective date. They must replace the piston rod before it exceeds 9,300 flight cycles, following a phased compliance schedule based on accumulated flight cycles. Compliance with later approved revisions of the manual by Transport Canada also satisfies the directive requirements.
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