Remarks: The compliance of this AD must be recorded in Aircraft Logbook, where applicable the requirements of this AD must be integrated into Aircraft Technical Documentation. Address inquiries concerning this AD to: Civil Aviation Authority, Airworthiness Division, Ruzyne Airport, 160 08 Prague 6, Czech Republic, tel: 420 2 33320922, fax: 420 2 20562270.

Model ATR 72-101/-102/-201/-202/-211/-212 and 212 A series airplanes on which AEROSPATIALE MATRA ATR modification 5226 has not been accomplished.

On September 12, 1999, an ATR 72 aircraft landed at Athens airport with the nose landing gear not extended. The technical investigations performed have revealed that this event was due to a failure of the uplock box mechanism.

Consequently, a design modification consisting of the improvement of the attachment of the stop in the locking lever has been defined by the manufacturer.

The aim of this Airworthiness Directive is to render mandatory the implementation of this design modification.

In order to prevent a failure of the uplock box mechanism which could lead to a non extension of a landing gear, remove and replace the uplock boxes of the Main and Nose landing gear in accordance with the instructions given in Service Bulletin ATR 72-32-1038 or any further approved revision.

At the next scheduled C check after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive and no later than June 01, 2002.

Service Bulletin ATR 72-32-1038

or any further approved revision.

EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 01, 2000