Airframe structural crack found during inspection — DHC-8-Q400

Summary

During a scheduled C-check at a Melbourne MRO facility, a crack was discovered in the left main landing gear beam of a QantasLink DHC-8-Q400. The aircraft was grounded and the finding reported to CASA and the TSB Canada. Repair was completed in accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin 84-32-09.

Investigation Findings (4)

1. 01Crack length was 14 mm, below the mandatory repair limit of 20 mm but above the initial inspection action limit.
2. 02The aircraft had accumulated 22,340 flight cycles at the time of discovery.
3. 03De Havilland Canada confirmed the crack is within the known fatigue scatter model.
4. 04CASA reviewed all DHC-8-Q400 operators to confirm compliance with the applicable repetitive inspection AD.