Sukhoi is to release a service bulletin aimed at addressing landing-gear problems with the Superjet 100, following an incident at Moscow Sheremetyevo.
The incident, involving Aeroflot aircraft number 95017, resulted in the aircraft returning to the airport after the crew heard "increased noise" from the nose-gear after departure on 7 March, says Sukhoi.
Inspection showed damage to an actuator link from the nose-gear door. The incident followed a number of other problems with landing-gear retraction on the type.
Joint investigation between Sukhoi and landing-gear specialist Messier-Bugatti-Dowty found that increased friction had generated "excessive load" on specific components.
Similar increased loads were found to have occurred on two other aircraft - 95010 and 95013 - and the airframer says replacement of affected components is necessary after 500 cycles. It says it will develop a service bulletin in the second quarter to replace link assemblies on the entire in-service fleet.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
