AD/Do 228/12 Amdt 1 De-bonding of Surface Protection on Rudders and Elevators (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/DO 228/12 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.

Dornier 228 Series Aeroplanes

AD/DO 228/12 Amdt 1 De-bonding of Surface Protection
on Rudders and Elevators 3/2009

Applicability:

Model 228-100, -101, -200, -201, -202, -202K, and -212 aircraft; on which the rudder and/or elevator have been replaced or repaired at Fairchild Dornier or RUAG between the year 2000 and 2005.  Affected part numbers and serial numbers are listed on page 7 of RUAG Service Bulletin SB-228-270R1.

Requirement:

1.    A detailed visual inspection must be performed on some accessible areas of the inner structure of the rudder and elevator for signs of corrosion, de-bonded primer (yellow-green) and any other deviation of surface protection; in accordance with RUAG Service Bulletin SB-228-270R1, or later LBA/EASA approved revision.

2.    Any investigation results that indicate corrosion is beyond the acceptable level and/or de-bonded primer is evident, must be reported to the manufacturer for further assessment.

3.    If necessary, repair the affected parts in accordance with the manufacturer’s repair instruction.

Note:  LBA AD D-2007-350R1 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Within 2 months after 12 March 2009, unless already accomplished.

2.    Immediately after such findings have been established.

3.    In accordance with instructions from the manufacturer.

This Amendment becomes effective on 12 March 2009.

Background:

The manufacturer reported findings of missing primer on the internal of the elevator and rudder of aircraft S/N 8200.  Investigation performed by RUAG showed that the paint removal procedure for the rudder and elevator was changed from a paint stripping with brush and scraper to a procedure where the parts were submerged in a tank filled with hot liquid stripper.  This paint stripping process change was not communicated to and not approved by the TC-Holder.

Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related LBA AD and RUAG SB, which introduce changes to applicability and accomplishment instructions.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

23 January 2009