{"id":"F2006B09226","name":"AD/DHC-8/69 - Wing/Fuselage Closing Angles","slug":"ad-dhc-8-69-wing-fuselage-closing-angles","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53097,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09226-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.002.png)\n\n![](image.002.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/DHC-8/69 Wing/Fuselage Closing Angles","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/DHC-8/69 Wing/Fuselage Closing Angles 5/2000","content":"# AD/DHC-8/69 Wing/Fuselage Closing Angles 5/2000\n\nApplicability: DHC-8 aircraft, Models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315.\n\nRequirement: Revise the Transport Canada approved maintenance program by incorporating the inspection and the inspection intervals of Airworthiness Limitations List (AWL), Structural Inspection Task 5310/31A as detailed in the Temporary Revisions (TRs) of the DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manuals specified below:\n\n| DHC-8 Models      | Maintenance Program Manual | Temporary Revision No. |\n| ----------------- | -------------------------- | ---------------------- |\n| 102, 103, 106     | PSM 1-8-7                  | TR AWL-71              |\n| 201, 202          | PSM 1-82-7                 | TR AWL2-15             |\n| 301,311, 314, 315 | PSM 1-83-7                 | TR AWL3-78             |\n\nFor those angles designated as PSEs, phase in the structural inspection tasks detailed above in accordance with the compliance part of this Directive.\n\nCompliance: a. For aircraft that have accumulated less than 8,000 flight cycles as of 18 May 2000, perform the inspection at 10,000 flight cycles.\n\nb. For aircraft that have accumulated more than 8,000 flight cycles as of 18 May 2000, perform the inspection within 2,000 flight cycles after 18 May 2000.\n\nc. For aircraft that have accomplished the 40,000 flight cycle inspection, and where no cracks were found and/or where the closing angles were replaced, the repeat interval of 10,000 flight cycles starts from the date of the 40,000-flight cycle inspection and/or the date of replacement of the closing angles.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 18 May 2000.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope: mandating specific structural inspections for particular DHC-8 aircraft models. It has not expanded beyond its initial safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose document (approximately 300 words)","Only 3 defined applicability categories (aircraft models grouped by manual type)","Simple conditional logic with 3 mutually exclusive compliance pathways based on flight cycle thresholds","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations beyond the enabling power (CAR 1998 subreg 39.1(1))","Clear tabular presentation of model-specific manual references","Single requirement with straightforward temporal compliance triggers"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive orders operators of specified de Havilland Canada DHC‑8 models to add a new maintenance inspection for the wing-to-fuselage \"closing angles\" and carry out inspections based on flight‑cycle thresholds (with different deadlines for aircraft above or below 8,000 cycles as of May 2000, and recurring checks for previously inspected/serviced aircraft). It affects owners, operators and maintenance crews and aims to detect and repair fatigue cracks before they threaten structural integrity."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Directive is narrowly targeted to address an identified unsafe condition of the wing/fuselage closing angles on specified DHC-8 models by mandating a specific inspection task and intervals. It does not expand the regulatory subject beyond that original safety purpose: the instrument requires insertion of a defined AWL task (5310/31A) into the maintenance program and sets flight-cycle timing for inspections. There is no evidence in the text that the Directive broadened its scope beyond those models or beyond the inspection/repair of the closing angles."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-issue instrument focused on one inspection task (low length)","Limited applicability list (9 aircraft models)","Three Temporary Revision cross-references to Transport Canada Maintenance Program Manuals (external documents required to implement inspections)","Conditional compliance logic with three branches based on flight cycles (<8,000; >8,000; and 40,000 inspection/replacement)","One technical term requiring interpretation for operators ('PSE' – Principal Structural Element) with phase-in instruction","Administrative requirement to revise approved maintenance program (regulatory/process step)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanically):**\n\n- It requires operators of certain De Havilland Canada DHC-8 (Dash 8) models to update their approved maintenance program to include a specific structural inspection task for the wing/fuselage closing angles (Airworthiness Limitations List, Structural Inspection Task 5310/31A). (Requirement)\n- The inspection and its intervals are to be inserted into the operator's Transport Canada–approved maintenance program by adopting the Temporary Revision (TR) identified for the relevant DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual: TR AWL-71 (models 102/103/106), TR AWL2-15 (201/202), or TR AWL3-78 (301/311/314/315). (Requirement)\n- If the closing angles are designated as PSEs (Principal Structural Elements), operators must phase in the inspection tasks for those PSEs according to the compliance schedule in this Directive. (Requirement)\n- The Directive sets when the first inspection must be done depending on how many flight cycles the aircraft had accumulated by 18 May 2000, and sets the repeat interval after certain conditions. (Compliance a–c)\n\n**Who is affected:**\n\n- Owners/operators of DHC-8 aircraft, models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315. (Applicability)\n- Maintenance organisations that hold or manage the Transport Canada–approved maintenance programs for those aircraft.\n\n**Key compliance timings (how it works in practice):**\n\n- If the aircraft had fewer than 8,000 flight cycles on 18 May 2000: perform the inspection at 10,000 flight cycles. (Compliance a)\n- If the aircraft had more than 8,000 flight cycles on 18 May 2000: perform the inspection within 2,000 flight cycles after 18 May 2000. (Compliance b)\n- If the aircraft already had a 40,000 flight-cycle inspection with no cracks found, or the closing angles were replaced at that inspection, the 10,000-flight-cycle repeat interval starts from the date of that 40,000-cycle inspection or the date of replacement. (Compliance c)\n\n**Why the rule exists (stated purpose) and how that maps to costs and incentives:**\n\n- The stated purpose (in the AD preamble) is to correct an identified unsafe condition related to the wing/fuselage closing angles. The Directive implements that purpose by mandating inspections and intervals (Authority: CASA under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1)).\n\n- Who pays: aircraft owners/operators pay for the additional inspections, record updates and any repairs or replacement parts (for example, if closing angles are found cracked and must be replaced). (Requirement; Compliance)\n\n- Who decides: the CASA delegate issued the AD (the legal instrument), and the mechanics/approved maintenance organisation decide how to schedule and carry out the inspections consistent with the Transport Canada–approved manual TRs that the AD requires to be adopted. (Preamble; Requirement)\n\n- Behaviour changes required: operators must amend their approved maintenance program (administrative step), schedule and perform inspections at the specified flight-cycle milestones, record findings, and perform repairs/replacements if cracks are found. If closing angles are PSEs, there is a required phase-in of the inspection regime. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\n- Trade-offs and likely practical effects: implementing the inspections will increase maintenance workload and may cause aircraft downtime for inspection/repair. There will be costs for labour and parts where defects are found. Operators may need to reschedule flights to meet inspection windows. The AD creates no direct change to operational rules beyond inspection obligations, but it can affect fleet availability and maintenance planning.\n\n- Implementation risks and compliance burden: accurate flight-cycle records are needed to determine the correct inspection window; inspections must reliably detect relevant cracking (inspection quality matters); adoption of the Transport Canada TRs by each operator's approved maintenance program is an administrative step that can create short-term compliance work. Availability of replacement parts or qualified shops could constrain timely repairs where cracking is discovered. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\n**Concrete citation of where these items appear in the Directive:**\n- Affected models: Applicability section.\n- What to insert into maintenance programs and which TRs to use: Requirement section and table of Maintenance Program Manuals/Temporary Revision numbers.\n- Timing windows and repeat intervals: Compliance section (items a, b, c).\n- Legal authority for the AD: CASA delegate under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1) (preamble).\n\n**Bottom line:** This AD imposes a mandatory maintenance-program change and inspection schedule for the DHC-8 models listed, focused on the wing/fuselage closing angles, with precise flight-cycle-based timing for first and repeat inspections. Operators bear the cost and logistic burden of implementing and performing the inspections and any necessary repairs; CASA enforces the requirement through the AD mechanism."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-69-wing-fuselage-closing-angles","history":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-69-wing-fuselage-closing-angles/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-69-wing-fuselage-closing-angles/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-69-wing-fuselage-closing-angles/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-69-wing-fuselage-closing-angles/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-69-wing-fuselage-closing-angles/documents"}}