2008-13-09 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 39-15572. Docket No. FAA-2008-0179; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM- 367-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 17, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, DHC-8- 103, DHC-8-106, DHC-8-201, DHC-8-202, DHC-8-301, DHC-8-311, and DHC- 8-315 airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (g) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
Bombardier Aerospace has completed a system safety review of the aircraft fuel system against fuel tank safety standards introduced in Chapter 525 of the Airworthiness Manual through Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) 2002-043. The identified non-compliances were then assessed using Transport Canada Policy Letter No. 525-001, to determine if mandatory corrective action is required.
The assessment showed that supplemental maintenance tasks [inspections of fuel tank bonding jumpers, wiring harnesses, and drain valve components, among other items and actions; and applicable corrective actions] are required to prevent potential ignition sources within the fuel system, which could result in a fuel tank explosion. Revisions have been made to Part 2 "Airworthiness Limitations List'' of the DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manuals to introduce the required maintenance tasks.
The corrective action is revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, or before December 16, 2008, whichever occurs first, revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate the fuel system limitations tasks identified in the de Havilland temporary revisions (TRs) to Part 2, "Airworthiness Limitations List,'' of the Dash 8 Series Maintenance Program Manuals ("the MPMs''). The TRs are listed in Table 1 of this AD. For the tasks identified in the TRs, the initial compliance times start at the later of the applicable "Threshold'' and "Grace Period'' times specified in Table 2 of this AD, and the repetitive limitation tasks must be accomplished thereafter at the interval specified in the TRs, except as provided by paragraphs (f)(2), (f)(3), (f)(4), and (g)(1) of this AD.
Table 1--Temporary Revisions
Model
de Havilland TR
MPM
DHC-8-102, DHC-8-103, and DHC-8-106 airplanes
AWL-110, dated August 31, 2007
Dash 8 Series 100 MPM, Product Support Manual (PSM) 1-8-7, Part 2, Airworthiness Limitations List
DHC-8-201, and DHC-8-202 airplanes
AWL 2-43, dated August 31, 2007
Dash 8 Series 200 MPM, PSM 1-82-7, Part 2, Airworthiness Limitations List
DHC-8-301, DHC-8-311, and DHC-8-315 airplanes
AWL 3-109, dated August 31, 2007
Dash 8 Series 300 MPM, PSM 1-83-7, Part 2, Airworthiness Limitations List
Table 2--Initial Inspections
Compliance Time (whichever occurs later)
Description
Threshold
Grace period
Tasks with 6,000 flighthours/36 month intervals
Before the accumulation of 6,000 total flight hours, or within 36 months since new, whichever occurs first
Within 2,000 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first
Tasks with 18,000 flight hours/108 month intervals
Before the accumulation of 18,000 total flight hours, or within 108 months since new, whichever occurs first
Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first
Tasks with 72,000 flight hours/36 year intervals
Before the accumulation of 72,000 total flight hours, or within 36 years since new, whichever occurs first
Within 600 flight hours or 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first
Note 2: The actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD may be done by inserting a copy of the applicable TR listed in Table 1 of this AD into the ALS of the applicable MPM listed in Table 1 of this AD. When the applicable TR has been included in general revisions of the applicable MPM, the general revisions may be inserted in the MPM, provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in the applicable TR.
(2) For those tasks with 6,000 flight hours/36 month limitation task intervals: For airplanes that have accumulated 4,000 total flight hours or more, or 24 months or more since new, as of the effective date of this AD, do the initial limitation tasks within 2,000 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. Thereafter, repeat the limitation tasks at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first.
(3) For those tasks with 18,000 flight hours/108 month limitation task intervals: For airplanes that have accumulated 12,000 total flight hours or more, or 72 months or more since new, as of the effective date of this AD, do the initial limitation tasks within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. Thereafter, repeat the limitation tasks at intervals not to exceed 18,000 flight hours or 108 months, whichever occurs first.
(4) After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD, no alternative inspections/ limitation tasks or inspection/limitation task intervals may be used unless the inspections/limitation tasks or inspection/limitation task intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
FAA AD Differences
Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New York ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: RoccoViselli, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7331; fax (516) 794-5531. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-32, dated December 17, 2007, and the de Havilland temporary revisions listed in Table 1 of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use the applicable service information specified in Table 3 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr- locations.html.
Table 3--Material Incorporated by Reference
De Havilland Temporary Revision -
Dated -
To the -
AWL-110
August 31, 2007
Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Program Manual, Product Support Manual 1-8-7, Part 2, Airworthiness Limitations List
AWL 2-43
August 31, 2007
Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Program Manual, Product Support Manual 1-82-7, Part 2, Airworthiness Limitations List
AWL 3-109
August 31, 2007
Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Program Manual, Product Support Manual 1-83-7, Part 2, Airworthiness Limitations List