AD 2005-13-38

(a) This AD becomes effective August 9, 2005.

(b) None.

Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, DHC-8-200, and DHC-8-300 series airplanes; certificated in any category; serial number 003 and subsequent.

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 (l) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC) 25-1529.

(d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that visual inspections were not adequate for detecting fatigue cracking in portions of the longitudinal skin joints in the fuselage pressure shell. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the longitudinal skin joints in the fuselage pressure shell, which could affect the structural integrity of the airplane, and result in loss of cabin pressurization during flight.

Compliance: (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

(f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the AWL section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating the contents of the applicable de Havilland temporary revision (TR) listed in Table 1 of this AD into the AWL section of the applicable Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Support Manual (PSM). Thereafter, except as provided by paragraphs (g) and (l) of this AD, no alternative structural inspection intervals may be approved for the longitudinal skin joints in the fuselage pressure shell.

(g) When the information in the applicable de Havilland TR identified in Table 1 of this AD has been included in the general revisions of the applicable PSM identified in Table 1 of this AD, the general revisions may be inserted in the PSM, and the applicable TR may be removed from the AWL section of the Instruction for Continued Airworthiness.

(h) At the times specified in paragraph (i) of this AD, perform the detailed and eddy current inspections, as applicable, of the longitudinal skin joints in the fuselage pressure shell specified in the de Havilland TR listed in Table 2 of this AD for the applicable de Havilland maintenance task card (MTC) in the specified MTC manual section of the applicable Bombardier DHC-8 PSM.

Note 2:

For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.”

(i) Perform the inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD at the applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1), (i)(2), or (i)(3) of this AD.

(1) For all airplanes with 40,000 total flight cycles or less as of the effective date of this AD: At the times specified in the applicable TR to the AWL listed in Table 1 of this AD.

(2) For airplanes with more than 40,000 total flight cycles but less than 57,500 total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD:

(i) For Model -102, -103, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes: Within 5,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD or prior to the accumulation of 60,000 total flight cycles, whichever is first.

(ii) For Model -106, -201, and -202 airplanes: Within 5,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD or prior to the accumulation of 60,346 total flight cycles, whichever is first.

(3) For all airplanes with 57,500 total flight cycles or more as of the effective date of this AD: Within 12 months or 2,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever is first.

(j) Repeat the inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD thereafter at the intervals specified in the applicable TR to the AWL required by paragraph (f) of this AD.

(k) If a crack is found in a longitudinal skin joint during any phase-in inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, and the MTC specifies contacting Bombardier for repair information: Before further flight, repair the affected longitudinal skin joint in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, New York ACO; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (or its delegated agent).

(l) The Manager, New York ACO, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(m) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2004-16, dated September 7, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

(n) You must use the applicable de Havilland temporary revisions to the applicable Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Support Manual specified in Table 3 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of the temporary revisions, contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the temporary revisions, go to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.