AD NUMBER: 2017-23-01

PRODUCT: Certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-13-14, which applied to the aircraft listed above.

AD 2016-13-14 required an inspection to determine if certain left and right main landing gear (MLG) retract actuator rod ends were installed, repetitive liquid penetrant inspections (LPIs) of affected left and right MLG retract actuator rod ends, and corrective actions if necessary.

This new AD retains the actions specified in AD 2016- 13-14 and also requires replacement of the left and right MLG retract actuator rod ends. This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked MLG retract actuator rod end.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 52 airplanes of U.S. registry.

The actions required by AD 2016-13-14, and retained in this AD, take about 1 work-hour per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the inspection that is required by AD 2016-13-14 is $85 per product.

The FAA estimates that it will take about 3 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $2,019 per product. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $118,248, or $2,274 per product.

In addition, the FAA estimates that any necessary follow-on actions will take about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $2,019, for a cost of $2,274 per product. The agency says there is no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these actions.

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the agency has included all available costs in our cost estimate.

DATES: This AD is effective December 19, 2017.

FMI: AD