FAA calls for extra checks on De Havilland elevators—safety first
Published Date: 6/23/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly or maintain certain De Havilland DHC-8-400 planes, listen up! The FAA wants to update safety checks for elevator parts to catch cracks and damage sooner. They’re asking for one more round of inspections, some fixes if needed, and offering a way to stop future checks—so planes stay safe without breaking the bank or schedule.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Adds one repeat inspection
The FAA proposes that operators of certain De Havilland DHC-8-400 airplanes must perform the inspections required by AD 2019-16-09 again one time (a repeat inspection). This means another scheduled inspection for the elevator PCU brackets, horizontal stabilizer rear spar, and elevator front spar to check for cracks and damage.
Required on-condition corrective actions
If the inspections find cracks or damage, the FAA requires operators to carry out the specified investigative and corrective (on-condition) actions. Those fixes must be done as directed before returning the airplane to service.
Optional terminating action offered
The proposed AD would offer an optional terminating action that, if done, ends the need for the repetitive inspections. Operators can choose this option to stop repeating the inspection requirement for the affected parts.
One airplane removed from applicability
The proposal removes one airplane from the list of airplanes that the AD applies to, so that specific airplane would no longer be subject to these inspection requirements. That airplane’s operator would not have to do the AD’s inspections and related actions.
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