FAA Targets Fuel-Leaking Wings on De Havilland Jets
Published Date: 9/16/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-401 and DHC-8-402 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that instructions for fay, fillet, and rivet dome sealing were omitted for a bracket installed on the inboard surface of the tank rib, which could allow fuel to leak from the wing fuel tank into the wing dry bay. This proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection of the affected bracket assembly for signs of fuel leakage and for the presence of fillet seal and fastener dome seal, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Reduces Fuel Leak Explosion Risk
This proposed AD targets a bracket on the inboard surface of the tank rib at wing station 42 where omitted sealing could let fuel leak from the wing fuel tank into the wing dry bay. Requiring inspection and sealing reduces the risk that fuel vapors accumulate in the dry bay and potentially ignite or cause a fuel tank explosion for airplanes of the affected models.
Inspections and Fixes Required for DHC-8 Bracket
The FAA proposes an airworthiness directive for De Havilland Model DHC-8-401 and DHC-8-402 airplanes to require a detailed visual inspection of bracket assembly part number 85714524-001 for fuel leakage and for the presence of a fillet seal and fastener dome seal. If sealing is missing, operators must apply sealant to the bracket assembly and fasteners (the AD replaces 'if required, apply' with 'if required, before further flight, apply'). The FAA estimates this would affect 35 U.S.-registered airplanes, cost 24 work-hours at $85/hour ($2,040) per airplane for the required action, and on-condition work would cost about $560 (6 work-hours at $85/hour plus $50 parts) per affected airplane.
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