AD/DHC-8/44 - Refuel/Defuel Tube Assembly (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes

AD/DHC-8/44 Refuel/Defuel Tube Assembly 12/96

DM

Applicability: All DHC-8 model 102, 103, 106, 201 and 202 aircraft with serial number 203 through 450 and model 311, 314 and 315 with serial number 202 through 451 fitted with P/N refuel/defuel tube assemblies as specified in the Requirement Document.

Requirement: 1. Inspect the five applicable refuel/defuel tube assemblies in accordance with Section III, Part 1 of the Requirement Document.

Replace any leaking tube assemblies before further flight with fuel tubes modified per Requirements 2 or 3 (as applicable).

2. Modify refuel/defuel assembly P/N 82820107-007 or 82821015-003, as applicable, in accordance with de Havilland modification 8/2589 as detailed in Section III, Part 2 of the Requirement Document.

3. Modify all remaining refuel/defuel tube assemblies in accordance with de Havilland modification 8/2589 as detailed in Section III, Part 3 of the Requirement Document.

Note: Transport Canada AD CF-96-14 dated 20 August 1996 refers.

Compliance: 1. Unless previously accomplished, initially within 30 days from 2 October 1996, and thereafter reinspect at intervals not exceeding 6 months from the last inspection.

2. No later than 2 October 1997.

3. No later than 2 October 1998.

Compliance with Requirements 2 and 3 are terminating action for Requirement 1.

Background: The manufacturer advised that an operator has reported a fuel leakage from the refuel/defuel line shroud drain that is located near the refuel/defuel adapter in the R/H nacelle. Fuel leakage can collect beneath the exhaust fingernail on the heat shield structure and because of the heat generated in the area, is a potential fire hazard.