AD 2020-21-14 Requires Replacing Certain Mlg Hinge Pins With Serviceable Parts

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all ATR–GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of main landing gear (MLG) hinge pins found cracked or thermally abused.

This AD requires replacing certain MLG hinge pins with serviceable parts, or replacing an MLG equipped with any affected MLG hinge pin with an MLG equipped with serviceable MLG hinge pins, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 20, 2020.

Supplementary Information: The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0101, dated May 5, 2020 (“EASA AD 2020-0101”) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for all ATR–GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR72 airplanes. The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all ATR–GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR72 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 31, 2020 (85 FR 46010). The NPRM was prompted by MLG hinge pins found cracked or thermally abused. The NPRM proposed to require replacing certain MLG hinge pins with serviceable parts, or replacing an MLG equipped with any affected MLG hinge pin with an MLG equipped with serviceable MLG hinge pins, as specified in EASA AD 2020-0101.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address MLG hinge pins subjected to a non-detected thermal abuse during production, which could lead to structural failure and consequent collapse of the MLG, resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to the occupants. See the MCAI for additional background information.

FMI: www.regulations.gov