AD/DHC-8/145 - Wing Fuel Tank Skin between Yw171 and Yw 261 (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes AD/DHC-8/145 Wing Fuel Tank Skin between 4/2009 Yw171 and Yw 261

Applicability: DHC-8 aircraft, Models 102, 103, 106, 201, and 202, with serial numbers 003 through 663. Requirement: Action in accordance with the requirements of Transport Canada AD CF-2009-05.

Note: Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-57-46 original issue, or later Transport Canada approved revision, refers. Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 9 April 2009. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 April 2009. Background: During a puncture voltage test of the aluminium-loaded paint on an in-service DHC-8 aircraft, conducted to validate an SFAR 88 related task, the manufacturer discovered that the top wing fuel tank skin between Yw171.20 and Yw261.00 was painted with a non-aluminised enamel coating due to a misinterpretation of the painting instructions in the Structural Repair Manual. With this type of paint application, it is possible that, in the worst case scenario, a lightning strike could puncture the wing skin and create an ignition source in the fuel tank. This Directive requires certain actions to ensure that the correct paint type is applied to the affected wing skin.