AD 2007-01-14 Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 Series Airplanes

Models named: DHC-8-400 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes, serial numbers 4001, 4003, 4004, 4006, and 4008 through 4126 inclusive, certificated in any category.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (g) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC) 25-1529-1. Maintenance Requirements Manual Revision (f) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI), Part 2, Section 2, of the Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7, by incorporating the information in Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Temporary Revisions (TR) ALI-53, dated February 16, 2006; and ALI-54, dated March 27, 2006. Thereafter, except as provided in paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative structural inspection intervals may be approved for the fuselage and doors as specified in the TRs. Note 2: The actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD may be done by inserting copies of TR ALI-53, dated February 16, 2006, and TR ALI-54, dated March 27, 2006; into the ALI, Part 2, Section 2, of the Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7. When TRs ALI-53 and ALI-54 have been included in the general revisions of the maintenance requirements manual, the general revisions may be inserted into the maintenance requirements manual, provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in TRs ALI-53 and ALI-54. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g)(1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 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 (h) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2006-10, dated May 12, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Temporary Revision ALI-53, dated February 16, 2006, to the Airworthiness Limitations Items, Part 2, Section 2, of the Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7; and Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Temporary Revision ALI-54, dated March 27, 2006, to the Airworthiness Limitations Items, Part 2, Section 2, of the Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7; 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 December 26, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-1209 Filed 1-29-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from data obtained from the manufacturer's fatigue testing. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of certain principal structural elements, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.