AD 2010-09-07 Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 Series Airplanes

Models named: DHC-8-400, -401, -402. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes; certificated in any category, that are equipped with Thales angle of attack (AOA) vanes having part number (P/N) C16177AC.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Actions (g) Within 250 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Do an inspection to determine the serial number of the AOA sensors installed on the airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the serial number of the AOA sensors can be conclusively determined from that review. (1) If neither serial number is specified in paragraph 1.A., Table 1, of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009, do the actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD. (2) If the serial numbers of both AOA sensors are specified in paragraph 1.A., Table 1, of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009, and both serial numbers have suffix “B,” do the actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD. (3) If the serial numbers of both AOA sensors are specified in paragraph 1.A., Table 1, of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009, do the actions required by either paragraph (g)(3)(i) or (g)(3)(ii) of this AD. (i) Before further flight, replace the AOA sensors with new or serviceable sensors, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009. (ii) Before further flight, replace one of the two AOA sensors with a new or serviceable sensor, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009. Replace the remaining sensor with a new or serviceable sensor within 750 flight hours after the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD. (4) If only one of the serial numbers of the AOA sensors is specified in paragraph 1.A., Table 1, of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009, replace that sensor with a new or serviceable sensor within 750 flight hours after the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD. (h) At the applicable compliance time specified in Table 1 of this AD: Measure the inrush current of the AOA vane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-46, dated October 20, 2009. (1) If, during any measurement required by paragraph (h) of this AD, an AOA vane is found to have an inrush current less than or equal to 1.6 amps, before further flight, replace the vane with a new or serviceable vane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-46, dated October 20, 2009. Repeat the measurement of the newly installed vane within 2,000 flight hours after replacement. (2) If, during any measurement required by paragraph (h) of this AD, an AOA vane is found to have an inrush current greater than 1.6 amps, repeat the measurement of the vane at the applicable compliance time specified in Table 2 of this AD. Table 1—Initial Measurement For any AOA vane that, as of the effective date of this AD, has accumulated— Do the initial inrush current measurement— Less than 5,000 total flight hours Before the AOA vane has accumulated 5,900 total flight hours. 5,000 or more total flight hours, but less than 6,000 total flight hours Within 900 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, or before the AOA vane has accumulated 6,500 total flight hours, whichever occurs first. 6,000 or more total flight hours Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD. Table 2—Repetitive Measurement Intervals If the last inrush current measurement of the serviceable AOA transducer is— Then repeat the measurement— More than 1.60 amps, but less than or equal to 1.70 amps Within 1,000 flight hours after the last inrush current measurement of the serviceable AOA transducer. More than 1.70 amps Within 2,000 flight hours after the last inrush current measurement of the serviceable AOA transducer. (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, an AOA sensor having P/N C16177AC with any serial number specified in paragraph 1.A., Table 1, of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009, unless the sensor has been inspected in accordance with this AD and unless the serial number has a suffix “B.” FAA AD Differences Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-05, dated February 2, 2010, requires an inspection to determine the serial number of the AOA vanes installed on the airplane. However, for clarification, we are requiring an inspection to determine the serial number of the AOA sensors (which are part of the vane), as specified in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009. (2) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-05, dated February 2, 2010, states that an airplane may be dispatched with one serviceable unit for a maximum of 1,000 flight hours. However, paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this AD allows an airplane to be dispatched with one serviceable unit for a maximum of 750 flight hours. This difference has been coordinated with Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). (3) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-05, dated February 2, 2010, states that if only one of the serial numbers of the affected AOA sensors is found, replace that sensor with a new or serviceable sensor within 1,000 flight hours. However, paragraph (g)(4) of this AD requires replacement with a new or serviceable sensor within 750 flight hours. This difference has been coordinated with TCCA. Other FAA AD Provisions (j) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (k) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-05, dated February 2, 2010; Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-46, dated October 20, 2009; and Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (l) You must use Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-46, dated October 20, 2009; and Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-27-51, dated December 22, 2009; as applicable; to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; e-mail thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 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 April 15, 2010. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2010-9520 Filed 4-28-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P