{"id":"F2006B09236","name":"AD/DHC-8/78 Amdt 1 - Elevator Stop Bumper","slug":"ad-dhc-8-78-amdt-1-elevator-stop-bumper","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53129,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09236-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/DHC-8/78 Amdt 1 - Elevator Stop Bumper","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DHC \\-8/78 and issues the following 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.\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nBombardier (Boeing Canada/de Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/DHC-8/78\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \n\nElevator Stop Bumper 3/2003 DM\n\nApplicability: DHC-8 aircraft, Models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315, with serial numbers 003 and subsequent.\n\nRequirement: Amend the Transport Canada approved maintenance schedule by revising the replacement interval for the elevator stop bumpers (task no. 2730/22) as introduced by Temporary Revision (TR) of Airworthiness Limitations List (AWL) of the DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manuals specified below:\n\n| DHC-8 Models       | Maintenance Program Manual | Temporary Revision |\n| ------------------ | -------------------------- | ------------------ |\n| 102, 103, 106      | PSM 1-8-7                  | TR AWL-84          |\n| 201, 202           | PSM 1-82-7                 | TR AWL 2-24        |\n| 301, 311, 314, 315 | PSM 1-83-7                 | TR AWL 3-91        |\n\nNote: Transport Canada AD CF-2001-08R1 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 30 days after 22 January 2003.\n\nThe phase- in schedule for those elevator stop bumpers that have accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours or more than 30 months as at 22 January 2003 is as follows:\n\nReplace the elevator stop bumpers within 6 months or 1,000 flight hours after 22 January 2003.\n\nThis Amendment becomes effective on 22 January 2003.\n\nBackground: There was one reported incident where a DHC-8 aircraft experienced an elevator trim problem in flight due to a broken or missing elevator stop bumper. Investigation revealed that failure of the elevator stop bumper could lead to an elevator over-travel and damage to the elevator trailing edge if it impacts the top portion of the rudder.\n\nThe damaged elevator can then jam the spring tab, which could result in reduced controllability of the aircraft. This Directive introduces a life limit for the elevator stop bumper.\n\nBombardier (Boeing Canada/de Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/DHC-8/78 Amdt 1 (continued)\n\nAmendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related Transport Canada AD, which lowers the life limit for the elevator stop bumpers. This action is due to reports of elevator stop bumpers deteriorating prior to the current mandated life limit.\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 17 May 2001.\n\n![](image.002.jpeg)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 16 January 2003\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 22 January 2003.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The amendment reduces the allowable life for the elevator stop bumpers and accelerates replacement for bumpers with >5,000 flight hours or >30 months as at 22 Jan 2003, thereby increasing compliance obligations for affected operators. Applicability (models and serial numbers) remains the same, but the life-limit and compliance timing were tightened. (See Requirement; Compliance; Phase-in schedule; Background.)"},"complexity_factors":["Limited technical scope (single component: elevator stop bumpers) with clear model/serial-number applicability","Cross-references to multiple Transport Canada maintenance program manuals and numbered Temporary Revisions (requires locating external documents)","Fixed compliance deadlines and a short phase-in schedule tied to flight hours and calendar months (tracking and record checks required)","Regulatory action requires formal amendment of the approved maintenance schedule (administrative/regulatory process for operators)","Revocation of the prior AD and reliance on delegated authority under CAR 1998 introduces a legal procedural element"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Bombardier (de Havilland) DHC‑8 aeroplanes (Models 102,103,106,201,202,301,311,314,315; serial nos. 003+) to shorten the life limit and revise the replacement interval for elevator stop bumpers by amending the Transport Canada–approved maintenance schedule, and to replace bumpers that already exceed specified hours/age within a phased deadline. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance.)\n\nOperators pay for earlier replacements and scheduling paperwork; CASA revoked the prior AD and imposed the revised life limit to address a reported in‑flight elevator trim/control risk. (Background.)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment maintains the original scope (elevator stop bumper replacement for DHC-8 aircraft) but tightens the technical requirements. The change is a stricter time limit for the same safety issue, not an expansion into new aircraft systems or unrelated operational areas."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple aircraft model variants requiring cross-reference to three different maintenance manual numbers and three different temporary revision numbers","Dual compliance pathways: standard 30-day deadline versus phased 6-month/1,000 flight hour schedule for high-time components","Nested applicability criteria: model numbers AND serial number ranges AND specific maintenance program manual references","Requires external reference to Transport Canada AD CF-2001-08R1 for full context","Amendment structure requires understanding of revocation of previous directive and relationship to original 2001 issue date"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive revokes and tightens a prior order, requiring more frequent replacement of elevator stop bumpers on specified Bombardier DHC‑8 (Dash 8) aircraft (serials 003 and up). It affects owners, operators and maintenance personnel who must follow the updated replacement schedule.\n\nThe change responds to accelerated bumper wear discovered by Transport Canada after at least one incident where bumper failure led to elevator over‑travel and control difficulties, so Australia adopted the stricter timetable to prevent similar accidents."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-78-amdt-1-elevator-stop-bumper","history":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-78-amdt-1-elevator-stop-bumper/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-78-amdt-1-elevator-stop-bumper/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-78-amdt-1-elevator-stop-bumper/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-78-amdt-1-elevator-stop-bumper/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-78-amdt-1-elevator-stop-bumper/documents"}}