AD/DHC-8/101 Amdt 1 Fire Bottle Electrical Connectors (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DHC-8/101 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes

AD/DHC-8/101 Amdt 1 Fire Bottle Electrical Connectors 8/2006

Applicability:	Models DHC-8-400, DHC-8-401 and DHC-8-402, Serial Numbers (S/N) 4001 through 4107 inclusive.
Requirement:	1.    For DHC-8-400, DHC-8-401 and DHC-8-402, S/N 4001 through 4105 inclusive - Carry out an inspection of the electrical connectors on the forward and aft baggage compartment, auxiliary power unit (APU) and engine nacelle fire bottles, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) A84-26-06, dated 12 May 2005, or later revisions approved by the Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, Transport Canada.
2.    Correct any deficiencies noted during the Requirement 1 inspection in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB A84-26-06.
Note 1:  The Bombardier Aircraft maintenance Manual PSM 1-84-2 has been amended to clarify the instructions for connection of fire bottle connectors.  Temporary Revisions (TR) 26-017 through 26-027 were issued accordingly.
3.    For DHC-8-400, DHC-8-401 and DHC-8-402, S/N 4001 through 4107 inclusive - Install and/or modify lanyards, mounts and clamps to the forward and aft baggage compartment, APU and engine nacelle fire extinguishing systems by incorporating Modsum 4-109941.  Bombardier Service Bulletin (SB) 84-26-07, Revision A, dated 21 February 2006, or later revisions approved by the Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, Transport Canada, provides approved instructions for incorporating Modsum 4-109941.
Previous incorporation of Modsum 4-109941 before the effective date of this Amendment, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in the original issue of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-26-07, dated 15 June 2005, is acceptable for compliance with Requirement 3.
Note 2:  Transport Canada AD CF-2005-14R1 refers.
Compliance:	For Requirement 1 - Remains unchanged as “Within 14 days after the effective date of the original issue of this Directive”.

For Requirement 2 - Before further flight after accomplishing the Requirement 1 inspection.

For Requirement 3 - Within 5000 hours time in service after the effective date of this Amendment.

This Amendment becomes effective on 3 August 2006.

Background:

Transport Canada has received three reports of crossed connection of the electrical connectors on the forward and aft baggage compartment fire bottles.  An investigation has revealed that a similar unsafe condition could also potentially exist for the APU and engine nacelle fire bottles.  Cross connection of the fire bottle connectors could result in the inability to control a fire in the affected area.

The original issue of this Directive required an inspection of the fire bottle connectors to ensure that they were not cross connected and, if necessary, rectification of any incorrect installation.

This Amendment requires the installation or modification of lanyards, mounts and clamps to ensure fire bottle electrical connectors cannot be cross connected.

The original issue of this Directive became effective on 7 July 2005.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

21 June 2006