AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (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-8/99 Fuselage Longitudinal Skin Joints 12/2004
DM
Applicability: DHC-8 aircraft, Models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315, with serial numbers 003 and subsequent.
Requirement: A. Airworthiness Limitations Change
Amend the Transport Canada approved maintenance schedule by incorporating the new and revised structural inspection tasks as introduced by Temporary Revision (TR) of Airworthiness Limitations List (AWL) of the DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manuals (MPM) specified below:
DHC-8 Models | MPM | Task No. | Temporary Revision |
102, 103, 106 | PSM 1-8-7 | 5310/29E 5310/30A | TR AWL-92 TR AWL-93 |
201, 202 | PSM 1-82-7 | 5310/29E 5310/30A | TR AWL 2-31 TR AWL 2-32 |
301, 311, 314, 315 | PSM 1-83-7 | 5310/29E 5310/30A | TR AWL 3-98, TR AWL 3-99 |
B. Phase-In Schedule | | | |
The phase-in schedule for the structural inspection tasks detailed in Requirement A is as follows:
- For aircraft that have accumulated less than or equal to 40,000 flight cycles at the effective date of this Directive:
Perform the structural inspection task numbers 5310/29E and 5310/30A.
2. For aircraft that have accumulated more than 40,000 flight cycles, but not more than 57,500 flight cycles at the effective date of this Directive:
- Perform the eddy current inspection as detailed in task numbers 5310/29E and 5310/30A.
b. In addition, for aircraft models 106, 201, and 202, perform both the detailed visual and eddy current inspections at areas below floor, as detailed in task number 5310/30A.
3. For aircraft that have accumulated more than 57,500 flight cycles at the effective date of this Directive:
- Perform the eddy current inspection as detailed in task numbers 5310/29E and 5310/30A.
b. In addition, for aircraft models 106, 201, and 202, perform both the detailed visual and eddy current inspections at areas below floor, as detailed in task number 5310/30A.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-2004-16 refers.
Compliance: A. Within 30 days after 6 October 2004.
B.1. At the intervals specified in Requirement A. applicable Temporary Revision of Airworthiness Limitations List of the Maintenance Program Manuals.
B.2.a. Within 5,000 flight hours after 6 October 2004 but not later than 60,000 flight cycles, whichever occurs first.
B.2.b. Within 5,000 flight hours after 6 October 2004 but not later than 60,346 flight cycles, whichever occurs first.
B.3.a. Within 12 months or 2,500 flight cycles after 6 October 2004, whichever occurs first.
B.3.b. Within 12 months or 2,500 flight cycles after 6 October 2004, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 6 October 2004.
Background: The longitudinal skin joints in the fuselage pressure shell for DHC 8 aircraft have been identified as principal structural elements where visual inspection has been established as an inspection method. However, it was recently discovered that portions of the skin joints could not be properly inspected by visual means as these locations are hidden by other structures. Revisions have been made to the Airworthiness Limitations List of the DHC 8 Maintenance Program Manuals to implement newly developed eddy current inspection procedures, along with new and revised inspection requirements to ensure that the entire length of the fuselage longitudinal skin joints are properly inspected to prevent failure.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 29 September 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 October 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued the Airworthiness Directive (AD) DHC-8/99 under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) to address identified issues with the longitudinal skin joints in the fuselage pressure shell of Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes, specifically Models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315 with serial numbers 003 and subsequent. This directive was enacted to ensure that the entire length of the fuselage longitudinal skin joints are properly inspected to prevent potential failure, a problem identified by recent discoveries that certain areas of these joints were not adequately inspectable by visual means alone. The policy objective is to enhance the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft by implementing new and revised inspection tasks, as specified in the Transport Canada approved maintenance schedule.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes, covering Models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315 with serial numbers 003 and subsequent. The directive is issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, and it mandates amendments to the Transport Canada approved maintenance schedule to incorporate new and revised structural inspection tasks as introduced by the Temporary Revision (TR) of the Airworthiness Limitations List (AWL) in the DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manuals. The requirement entails performing specified structural inspection tasks based on the aircraft's accumulated flight cycles at the effective date of the directive, with a phase-in schedule for inspections that vary according to the number of flight cycles. Compliance with the directive must occur within stipulated timeframes after 6 October 2004, with inspections to be carried out at intervals detailed in the Temporary Revision of the Airworthiness Limitations List. The directive is effective from 6 October 2004, and its applicability extends across the mentioned aircraft models within the specified serial number range.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) F2006B09258, issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate's authority, pertains to Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes, specifically Models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315 with serial numbers 003 and subsequent. The directive requires amendments to the Transport Canada-approved maintenance schedule to incorporate new and revised structural inspection tasks as outlined in the Temporary Revision (TR) of the Airworthiness Limitations List (AWL) of the DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manuals (paragraphs 1(a) and 1(b)). These tasks involve structural inspection procedures, including eddy current inspections, to ensure that the fuselage longitudinal skin joints are properly inspected and maintained to prevent potential failures.
The directive outlines specific obligations for entities governed by it, such as aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers. They are required to update their maintenance schedules to reflect the new inspection procedures as per the AD, ensuring compliance with the specified requirements (paragraph 1(c)). This includes performing inspections at particular intervals and within certain flight cycle limits, depending on the aircraft's accumulated flight cycles at the effective date of the AD. Operators must also ensure that the inspections are conducted within the stipulated timeframes, which are either 30 days from the effective date or within specified flight hour and cycle limits (paragraph 2).
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this AD can result in civil or criminal consequences. The AD mandates that the specified actions be taken within the given timeframes to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft. Non-compliance with the AD may lead to enforcement actions by CASA, potentially resulting in penalties, fines, or other legal consequences. The AD does not specify exact penalties but indicates that non-compliance can lead to significant regulatory action to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question (paragraph 3).