BAe 125 Series 800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Company Policy; Procedure
I am writing this over a recurring problem with a bracket on the nose gear strut which included NXXX. I have filed previous reports over this issue so I will not go into details of it on the Hawker 800XP's. The issue on this airplane was that in this case; the front portion of the bracket was clearly pushed or smashed in 1/4 inch on the front right side of the bracket. This bracket has a relief hole in the front right side for a grease zerk to protrude through. When the bracket is brand new; this bracket is straight up in the vertical plane where the relief hole is so the grease zerk can protrude through. What happens is that as the bracket gets smashed or pushed in; by what I assume to be the tow bar head coming down on it; the relief hole part of the bracket then smashes inward on the lower end of the hole but then bends around the strut housing where the zerk attaches. Then with the bracket in this condition; the part of the bracket with the relief hole bent around the strut housing the zerk; it then cracks.In the case of NXXX; this was the situation of the bracket around the relief hole except it hadn't cracked. So I therefore wrote it up. The next day I came out to see it signed off. However; the bracket wasn't replaced; but was instead touched up with paint and signed off Airworthy. I found the mechanic and asked about this. He mentioned that he checked the bracket and it wasn't cracked and sent off a picture to Maintenance Control. They felt it was Airworthy and he signed it off as such but touched up the paint on it. I was surprised by this as you can easily see that it has been smashed or pushed in 1/4 inch believe there is no documentation on the allowable damages this part can have as told to me by ZZZ1 mechanics.Therefore; I called Maintenance Control and explained my situation. I forgot the name of who I talked to; but I told him that the bracket was smashed in about 1/4 inch and that if you compare it to a new one; you can easily see this. I said I was unaware of the allowable damage tolerances of this bracket and he said they would order another one and to go ahead and write it up again. However; I am concerned why this is happening but even more so how the part can be smashed in as such and still be considered Airworthy. I know from experience that it will crack in time.1. I have already filed a previous report; but again I ask; can the part be smashed in and still be Airworthy until it cracks and breaks?2. I believe this is happening from line personnel allowing the tow bar head to come down too hard on this bracket and they need to be advised of this problem.3. Maintenance needs to add this to their [checklist] to check for this and not relying on a crew to find this.4. I have attached a picture of the part damaged and bent in but still signed off originally as Airworthy with nothing more than touch up paint on it.
A pilot discovered a HS 800XP's nose gear strut bracket pushed or smashed ¼ inch which may cause the strut to crack in the area of the hole where a zerk head protrudes. Maintenance will not properly address this repeated issue.