AD 2009-12-16

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 17, 2009.

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-08-15, Amendment 39-15467.

(c) This AD applies to Dornier 228-100, Dornier 228-101, Dornier 228-200, Dornier 228-201, Dornier 228-202, and Dornier 228-212 airplanes, all serial numbers, that:

(1) Are certificated in any category; and

(2) have had the rudder and/or elevator replaced or repaired at Fairchild Dornier or RUAG between the year 2000 and 2005. The concerned rudder and elevator part numbers and serial numbers are listed on page 7 of RUAG Aerospace Defence Technology Dornier 228 Service Bulletin No. SB-228-270 (includes undated attachments 1 and 2 to SB-228-270 Rev. 1), Rev. No. 1, dated November 28, 2008.

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 51: Standard Practices/Structures.

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

The manufacturer reported findings of missing primer on the internal of the elevator and rudder of aircraft S/N 8200. The aircraft S/N 8200 was with RUAG for maintenance purposes. 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. The stripper is called TURCO 5669 from Henkel Surface Technologies. The stripping process is described in the Technical Process Bulletin No. 238799 dated 09/01/1999. This paint stripping process change was not communicated to and not approved by the TC-Holder.

Corrosion damage can occur through insufficient surface protection. Consequently, the MCAI requires a detailed visual inspection of the inner structure of the rudder and elevator for signs of corrosion, de-bonded primer (yellow-green), and any deviation of surface protection. If the inspection results show corrosion beyond the acceptable level or areas with de-bonded primer, the inspection results have to be reported to RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH for further decisions. If necessary, repair the affected parts in accordance with the applicable repair instruction obtained from RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH.

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:

(1) Within 2 months after July 17, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), do a detailed visual inspection on the inner structure of the rudder and elevator for signs of corrosion, de-bonded primer (yellow-green), and any other deviation of surface protection following RUAG Aerospace Defence Technology Dornier 228 Service Bulletin No. SB-228-270 (includes undated attachments 1 and 2 to SB-228-270 Rev. 1), Rev. No. 1, dated November 28, 2008.

(2) If you find corrosion or areas with de-bonded primer as a result of the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, do the following:

(i) Report the inspection results to RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH, Dornier 228 Customer Support, P.O. Box 1253, 82231 Wessling, Federal Republic of Germany, telephone: +49 (0) 8153-30-2280; fax: +49 (0) 8153-30-3030 and request FAA-approved repair instructions following RUAG Aerospace Defence Technology Dornier 228 Service Bulletin No. SB-228-270 (includes undated attachments 1 and 2 to SB-228-270 Rev. 1), Rev. No. 1, dated November 28, 2008.

(ii) Repair corrosion following FAA-approved repair instructions obtained from RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH.

Note:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, 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: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. 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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

(h) Refer to MCAI German AD D-2007-350R1, dated January 30, 2009; and RUAG Aerospace Defence Technology Dornier 228 Service Bulletin No. SB-228-270 (includes undated attachments 1 and 2 to SB-228-270 Rev. 1), Rev. No. 1, dated November 28, 2008, for related information.

(i) You must use RUAG Aerospace Defence Technology Dornier 228 Service Bulletin No. SB-228-270 (includes undated attachments 1 and 2 to SB-228-270 Rev. 1), Rev. No. 1, dated November 28, 2008, 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 RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH, Dornier 228 Customer Support, P.O. Box 1253, 82231 Wessling, Federal Republic of Germany, telephone: +49 (0) 8153-30-2280; fax: +49 (0) 8153-30-3030; E-mail: custsupport.dornier228@ruag.com; Internet: http://www.ruag.com/.

(3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.

(4) You may also review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.