Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracks of the fuselage pressure skin above the left and right main landing gear (MLG) bay. This AD also requires corrective action, including related investigative actions, if leaks are found. This AD is prompted by reports of cracks in the fuselage pressure skin above the left and right MLG bay. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the fuselage pressure skin above the left and right MLG bay; such fatigue cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of the fuselage and its ability to maintain pressure differential.