Summary
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracks of the first fuel access panel outboard of the nacelle on the left- and right-hand wings, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would require eventual replacement of each access panel with a new access panel having a new part number. The replacement would terminate the repetitive inspection requirements. This proposed AD results from reports of cracks of the fuel access panels. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracked fuel access panels, which could lead to arcing and ignition of fuel vapor during a lightning strike, and result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.