Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17096 · Wings
Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers 4001 and 4003 through 4106 inclusive.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of certain fuel access panels of the outer wing. This AD requires an external inspection, and if necessary an internal inspection, to determine if certain fuel access panels are installed, and replacement if necessary; optional repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuel access panels, and replacement if necessary, would defer the internal inspection; and eventual replacement of affected fuel access panels with new panels. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking of fuel access panels, which could result in arcing and ignition of fuel vapor in the outer wing fuel tank during a lightning strike.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do an external detailed inspection of the outer wing access panels having P/N 85714231-001 to locate the rivets of the identification plates, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-22, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011. If the rivets of the identification plate are found, no further action is required by this paragraph for that fuel access panel. If the rivets of the identification plate cannot be found: Before further flight, do the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) Remove fuel access panels having P/N 85714231-001 and inspect the panels to determine if the identification plate is installed, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-22, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011. If the identification plate is found: No further action is required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that fuel access panel.
(i) If the identification plate cannot be found, and the job detail number stamped on the underside of the access panel does not match any of those listed in table 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-22, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011: No further action is required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that fuel access panel.
(ii) If the identification plate cannot be found, and the job detail number stamped on the underside of the fuel access panel does match any of those specified in table 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-22, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011: Before further flight, replace the fuel access panel with a new fuel access panel having P/N 85714231-003, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-22, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011.
(2) Do an external detailed inspection on fuel access panels having P/N 85714231-001 for cracking, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-22, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011. If no cracking is found: Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours until the replacement specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD, or the inspection specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, is done.
(i) If the fuel access panel is found cracked during any inspection required by this AD: Before further flight, replace the fuel access panel with a new fuel access panel having P/N 85714231-003, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-22, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011.
(ii) Within 6,000 flight hours after the initial inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, do the actions specified by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, unless the replacement required by paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD is done.
Within 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do an external detailed inspection of the outer wing access panels having P/N 85714232-001 to locate the rivets of the identification plates, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-23, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011. If the rivets of the identification plate are found: No further action is required by this paragraph for that fuel access panel. If the rivets of the identification plate cannot be found: Before further flight, do the actions specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD.
(1) Remove fuel access panels having P/N 85714232-001 and inspect the panels to determine if the identification plate is installed, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-23, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011. If the identification plate is found: No further action is required by paragraph (h) of this AD for that fuel access panel.
(i) If the identification plate cannot be found, and the job detail number stamped on the underside of the access panel does not match any of those specified in table 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-23, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011: No further action is required by paragraph (h) of this AD for that fuel access panel.
(ii) If the identification plate cannot be found, and the job detail number stamped on the underside of the fuel access panel does match any of those specified in table 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-23, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011: Before further flight, replace the fuel access panel with a new fuel access panel having P/N 85714232-003, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-23, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011.
(2) Do an external detailed inspection on fuel access panels having P/N 85714232-001 for cracking, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-23, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011. If no cracking is found: Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 flight hours until the replacement specified in paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD, or the inspection specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, is done.
(i) If the fuel access panel is found cracked during any inspection required by this AD: Before further flight, replace the fuel access panel with a new fuel access panel having P/N 85714232-003, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-23, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011.
(ii) Within 12,000 flight hours after the initial inspection required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, unless the replacement required by paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD is done.
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a fuel access panel having P/N 85714231-001 and a job detail number listed in table 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-22, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011; or having P/N 85714232-001 and a job detail number listed in table 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-57-23, Revision B, dated February 16, 2011; on any airplane.
