Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2019-18-05 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-19732; Docket No. FAA-2018-0453; Product Identifier 2018-NM-028-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective October 31, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-400, - 401, and -402 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 4001 through 4585 inclusive, and 4587.(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing gear.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of the nose landing gear (NLG) locking in a partially extended position due to loose bushings on a lock link of the NLG locking mechanism. The FAA is issuing this AD to address excessive free play at the lock link of the NLG locking mechanism, and consequent inability to fully retract or deploy the NLG, which could result in collapse of the NLG and affect the safe landing of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions
Except as provided by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Do a general visual inspection for the NLG lower lock link part number and discrepancies of the bushings and of the lower lock link of the NLG locking mechanism, at the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, in accordance with paragraphs 3.A. and 3.B., or 3.A. and 3.D., as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-153, Revision A, dated February 27, 2018. If any discrepancy is found, before further flight, repair or replace the NLG lower lock link, as applicable, in accordance with paragraphs 3.B. or 3.D, as applicable, of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-153, Revision A, dated February 27, 2018. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,600 flight cycles on any NLG lower lock link.
(1) For airplanes on which an NLG lower lock link has accumulated 7,200 or fewer total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Before the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles on the NLG lower lock link.
(2) For airplanes on which an NLG lower lock link has accumulated more than 7,200 total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Within 800 flight cycles on the NLG lower lock link after the effective date of this AD.
(h)Inspections After Repair or Replacement of NLG Lower Lock Link
For airplanes with an NLG lower lock link that is repaired or replaced as specified in any one of paragraphs (h)(1) through (4) of this AD: The next inspection specified by paragraph (g) of this AD is required for the NLG lower lock link on the airplane at the applicable time specified in figure 1 to the introductory text of paragraph (h) of this AD.
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Figure 1 to the Introductory Text of Paragraph (h)--Compliance Times for
Next Inspection on Repaired or Replaced NLG Lower Lock Link ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flight cycles Compliance time ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Airplanes on which the NLG lower lock Before the accumulation of
link has accumulated 7,200 or fewer 8,000 flight cycles on the NLG
flight cycles since the NLG lower link lower lock link sincethe
was repaired or replaced. repair or replacement. Airplanes on which the NLG lower lock Within 800 flight cycles on the
link has accumulated more than 7,200 NLG lower lock link after the
flight cycles since the NLG lower link effective date of this AD.
was repaired or replaced. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Repaired as specified in Bombardier Repair Drawing 8/4-32- 0338;
(2) Repaired as specified in the Goodrich Aerospace Canada Ltd. Component Maintenance Manual, Part Number (P/N) 47300, 32-21-03;
(3) Replaced with a serviceable lock link having P/N 47324-1 (SCR-093-17-B); or
(4) Replaced with a new lock link having P/N 47324-1.
(i) Lock Link Excepted From Inspection Requirements
The inspections specified in this AD are not required for any new NLG lower lock link having P/N 47324-3.
(j) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-153, dated September 22, 2017, provided all drag strut joints were greased, as specified in paragraphs 3.B.(1)(h) and 3.D.(1)(c)5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of this service information, using aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) Task 12-20-01-640-802.
(k) Terminating Action for Repetitive Inspections
Within 8,000 flight cycles or 48 months on the NLG lower lock link after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Replace the existing NLG lower lock link with a new lower lock link having P/N 47324-3, in accordance with paragraphs 3.A. and 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84- 32-154, Revision A, dated November 21, 2018. Replacement of the lower lock link on the NLG terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD for that airplane.
(l) Other FAAAD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New York ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the New York ACO Branch, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action mustbe accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.
(m) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2018-01R1, dated January 21, 2019, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0453.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7323; fax 516-794-5531.
(3) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (n)(3)and (4) of this AD.
(n) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-153, Revision A, dated February 27, 2018.
(ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-154, Revision A, dated November 21, 2018.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone: 416- 375-4000; fax: 416-375-4539; email: thd@dehavilland.com; internet: https://devahilland.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.;