EASA AD G-2022-0004
Undercarriage — Nose Landing Gear Axle — Inspection
Summary
Civil Aviation Authority Airworthiness Directive G-2022-0004 addresses the inspection requirements for nose landing gear axles on BAE Systems HS 748 aeroplanes. It applies to all models and serial numbers of HS 748 aircraft fitted with nose landing gear axles bearing part number 200143303 manufactured before 2021. The directive mandates repeat inspections to detect cracking caused by decarburisation in the steel material of the axle.
What Changed
This new Airworthiness Directive introduces mandatory initial and repeat inspections of affected nose landing gear axles to identify potential cracking due to decarburisation. It retains the current safe life of the axle by requiring inspections every 1500 landings instead of reducing the axle's published safe life. The directive also specifies terminating actions involving the installation of serviceable axles with updated part numbers or manufacture dates.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to prevent in-service failures of nose landing gear axles caused by material decarburisation, which can lead to unsafe conditions. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and avoid grounding aircraft. Compliance ensures safety and regulatory adherence, reducing the risk of unexpected landing gear failures.
What To Do
Operators must review aircraft records to identify if affected axles are installed and perform initial inspections within 500 landings or 6 months from the directive's effective date of 2022-03-03. Repeat inspections are required every 1500 landings thereafter. Installation of specified serviceable axles terminates the inspection requirements. Maintenance teams should follow BAE Systems Service Bulletin HS748-32-105 for detailed inspection procedures.
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