AD 95-21-14 60 FR 53855 Active

This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 83-18- 03, which currently requires repetitively inspecting the tailplane outboard hinge assembly on certain de Havilland DHC-6 series airplanes, and replacing any cracked tailplane outboard hinge assembly. The Federal Aviation Administration's policy on aging commuter-class aircraft is to eliminate or, in certain instances, reduce the number of certain repetitive short-interval inspections when improved parts or modifications are available. This action requires eventually modifying the tailplane outboard hinge arm and tailplane hinge plate with parts of improved design (Modification No. 6/1799) as terminating action for the currently required repetitive inspections. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent tailplane failure caused by cracks in either outboard hinge arm or the hinge plate, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane.