FAA to De Havilland Planes: Stop Leaking Fuel from Wings!
Published Date: 9/16/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to make sure certain De Havilland DHC-8-401 and DHC-8-402 planes don’t leak fuel from their wings. They’re proposing inspections to check a bracket for missing seals that could cause leaks, plus fixes if needed. Comments are open until November 2, 2026, and this could mean some maintenance costs but keeps flights safe and sound.
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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Key Dates
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