AD 2006-20-04 Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 Airplanes, and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 Series Airplanes

Models named: DHC-8-102, -103, -106, DHC-8-200, DHC-8-300 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes, and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-105, Revision A, dated September 13, 2005.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Temporary Amendments (TAs) (f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the applicable airplane flight manual (AFM) of the affected airplanes by incorporating the information in the applicable TAs into the AFMs listed in Table 1 of this AD. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of the applicable TA into the AFM. The copy of the TA may be removed from the AFM when a new revision of the AFM is released that incorporates material identical to the content of the TA. Table 1.—de Havilland TAs For airplane model— Use de Havilland TA No.— Dated— To the de Havilland Dash 8 Model— 102 9 January 28, 2004 102 Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 102NS 8 January 28, 2004 102 NS Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 103 9 January 28, 2004 103 Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 103NS 8 January 28, 2004 103 NS Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 106 9 January 28, 2004 106 Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 106NS 8 January 28, 2004 106 NS Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 201 11 June 22, 2005 201 Flight Manual PSM 1-82-1A. 201S 9 June 22, 2005 201 S Flight Manual PSM 1-82-1A. 202 10 January 28, 2004 202 Flight Manual PSM 1-82-1A. 202HT 8 January 28, 2004 202 HT Flight Manual PSM 1-82-1A. 202S 9 June 22, 2005 202 S Flight Manual PSM 1-82-1A. 301 8 January 28, 2004 301 Flight Manual PSM 1-83-1A. 311 15 January 28, 2004 311 Flight Manual PSM 1-83-1A. 315 9 January 28, 2004 315 Flight Manual PSM 1-83-1A. Note 1: The suffixes “NS,” “S,” and “HT,” do not indicate separate airplane models; for example, a Model 102NS airplane is a Model 102 airplane. Inspection and Corrective Actions (g) Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a one-time general visual inspection for non-conforming chain links of the trim chain/chain assemblies of the elevator trim system and gust lock system and, before further flight, do the applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-105, Revision A, dated September 13, 2005. After accomplishing the requirements of this paragraph, operators may remove the AFM revisions required by paragraph (f) of this AD from the AFM. Note 2: 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.” Parts Installation (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an elevator trim chain/chain assembly on any airplane, unless the chain links of that trim chain/chain assembly are identified with the number RC-25. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (i)(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 (j) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2005-38, dated October 25, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-105, Revision A, dated September 13, 2005, and the temporary amendments specified in Table 2 of this AD, 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. Table 2.—Temporary Amendments Incorporated by Reference de Havilland temporary amendment— Dated— To the de Havilland Dash 8 Model— 8 January 28, 2004 102 NS Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 8 January 28, 2004 103 NS Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 8 January 28, 2004 106 NS Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 8 January 28, 2004 202 HT Flight Manual PSM 1-82-1A. 8 January 28, 2004 301 Flight Manual PSM 1-83-1A. 9 January 28, 2004 102 Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 9 January 28, 2004 103 Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 9 January 28, 2004 106 Flight Manual PSM 1-81-1A. 9 June 22, 2005 201 S Flight Manual PSM 1-82-1A. 9 June 22, 2005 202 S Flight Manual PSM 1-82-1A. 9 January 28, 2004 315 Flight Manual PSM 1-83-1A. 10 January 28, 2004 202 Flight Manual PSM 1-82-1A. 11 June 22, 2005 201 Flight Manual PSM 1-82-1A. 15 January 28, 2004 311 Flight Manual PSM 1-83-1A. Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 2006. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 06-8226 Filed 9-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from reports of several failures of the elevator trim chain, due to hydrogen embrittlement. We are issuing this AD to prevent breakage of the elevator trim chain, which would prevent the actual position of the elevator trim tab from being annunciated to the flightcrew. Attempting to adjust the trim tab from the full nose up or full nose down position with a broken trim chain could result in misleading information relative to takeoff trim settings and consequent loss of control on takeoff.