AD/SF340/84 Amdt 1 - MLG Retract Actuator Bracket Attachment Bolt (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SF340/84 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes

AD/SF340/84 Amdt 1

MLG Retract Actuator Bracket Attachment Bolt

9/2004

Applicability: Model SF340A aircraft, serial numbers SF340A-004 through -159.

Model 340B aircraft, serial numbers 340B-160 through -459.

Requirement: 1. Action in accordance with SAAB Aircraft Service Bulletin 340-32-124, dated 26 February 2002.

2. Action in accordance with SAAB Aircraft Service Bulletin 340-32-131, dated 29 June 2004.

If corrosion or other damage (except for light fret marks) is found during the Requirement 2 inspection, before further flight, replace the bolt and repair any damage.

Note: LFV AD 1-173 and AD 1-195 refer.

Compliance: 1. Before 5 March 2003.

2. Before 2 March 2005.

The compliance time remains unchanged for Requirement 1 by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 2 September 2004. Background: Failure history of the main landing gear retract actuator bracket attachment bolt indicates hydrogen embrittlement as the cause. Bolt failure will cause the bracket to come loose and prevent retraction of the affected main landing gear and result in considerable damage to main gear components. This Directive required installation of improved bolts.