Stabilizers - Elevator - Spring Tab - Mass Balance Hinge Arm Fracture
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AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must inspect the elevator spring tab balance weights and hinge arms within 600 flight hours from 2018-11-21, following Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-55-27 Revision A or later approved revisions. If any locknuts are fractured, loose, or missing, rectification must be done before further flight. Repairs and permanent securing of the mass balance must be completed within 60 flight hours if issues are found, or within 5000 flight hours if no issues are detected. Additional visual inspections of locknuts are required within 600 flight hours if prior inspections were done under the initial service bulletin revision.
Summary
The Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2018-30 addresses a safety issue on Bombardier Inc. DHC-8 series aeroplanes, models -102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315, serial numbers 003 through 672. It mandates inspection and corrective actions related to the elevator spring tab mass balance hinge arm to prevent fractures that could lead to loss of the spring tab balance weight. This directive aims to ensure continued airworthiness and flight safety by addressing potential flutter risks.
What changed
CF-2018-30 introduces a new mandatory one-time inspection of the elevator spring tab balance weights and hinge arms to detect any looseness or damage. It requires repair and installation of a solid shim and specific hardware if issues are found. Additionally, it mandates follow-up inspections and rectifications within specified flight hour limits to maintain secure attachment and prevent hinge arm fractures.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to prevent the loss of elevator spring tab balance weights, which could compromise flutter margins and potentially lead to loss of the aircraft. Compliance ensures structural integrity of the elevator control surfaces and reduces the risk of in-flight failures. It also provides clear maintenance instructions and deadlines to maintain regulatory compliance and flight safety.
More for De Havilland Canada DHC-8
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- EASA AD CF-2026-38Maintenance Requirements Manual Part 2 - Airworthiness Limitation Items - AmendmentAug 17, 2026
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