AD 2006-17-17 Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, DHC-8-200, DHC-8-300, and DHC-8-400 Series Airplanes

This AD applies to the Bombardier airplanes identified in Table 1 of this AD, certified in any category. Table 1.—Applicability Bombardier airplane model— Affected serial numbers (S/Ns)— (1) DHC-8-102, DHC-8-103, DHC-8-106, DHC-8-201, DHC-8-202, DHC-8-301, DHC-8-311, DHC-8-314, and DHC-8-315 airplanes 528 through 602 inclusive, and 606. (2) DHC-8-400, DHC-8-401, and DHC-8-402 airplanes 4003, 4004, 4006, 4008 through 4080 inclusive, and 4082.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Inspection and Replacement of Incorrect Rivets (f) At the applicable times specified in Table 2 of this AD: Do the applicable actions in accordance with the applicable service bulletin identified in Table 2 of this AD. If all rivets identified during the inspection specified in paragraph (f)(1)(i) or (f)(2)(i) of this AD, as applicable, are of the correct type (DD or DN rivets), no further action is required by this AD. Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.” Table 2.—Inspection and Replacement of Incorrect Rivets Model— Compliance time— Action— In accordance with— (1) Model DHC-8-102, DHC-8-103, DHC-8-106, DHC-8-201, DHC-8-202, DHC-8-301, DHC-8-311, DHC-8-314, and DHC-8-315 airplanes (i) Within 5,500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD Do a general visual inspection of the left and right control column torque tube assemblies to determine the types of rivets installed Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-104, dated October 26, 2004.   (ii) Before further flight Replace any rivet of an incorrect type (AD rivets) or of a type that cannot be determined with correct type rivets (DD or DN rivets) Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-104, dated October 26, 2004. (2) Model DHC-8-400, DHC-8-401, and DHC-8-402 airplanes (i) Within 5,500 flight hours after the effective date of the AD Do a general visual inspection of the left and right control column torque tube assemblies to determine the type of rivets installed Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-24, Revision ‘A,’ dated September 28, 2005.   (ii) Before further flight Replace any rivet of an incorrect type (AD rivets) or of a type that cannot be determined with correct type rivets (DD or DN rivets) Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-24, Revision ‘A,’ dated September 28, 2005. Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin (g) For Model DHC-8-400, DHC-8-401, and DHC-8-402 airplanes: Inspections and rivet replacements done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-24, dated September 20, 2004, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h)(1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Related Information (i) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2005-39, dated November 21, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-104, dated October 26, 2004; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-24, Revision ‘A,’ dated September 28, 2005; as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at 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 Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 16, 2006. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-13966 Filed 8-24-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report that incorrect rivets having lower than required strength were installed on the control column torque tube during production. We are issuing this AD to prevent shear failure of rivets in the control column torque tube, which could cause unexpected decoupling of the elevators and large unwanted deflection of the free elevator, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.