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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2007-0223 R2 

Date: 26 October 2007

No person may operate an aircraft to which an Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the 

requirements of that Airworthiness Directive unless otherwise agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry.

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

Dowty Propellers 

Type/Model designation(s) : 

R408 series propellers 

TCDS Number: EASA P.002 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Revision: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) revises EASA AD 2007-0223R1 dated 04 October 2007.

ATA 61 Propellers - Blades Metallic Leading Edge Guard - Inspection 

Manufacturer(s): Dowty Propellers 

Applicability: 

All R408/6-123-F/17 propellers equipped with blade assemblies Part 

Number (P/N) 697071200-18, 697071210-18, 697071227-18, 697071240-

18, 697071245-18 and 697071257-18, where the bonded metallic leading 

edge guard has accumulated 1 200 Flight Hours (FH) or less since 

installation. 

These propellers are known to be installed on, but not limited to, 

Bombardier Inc. (formerly de Havilland Canada) Models DHC-8-400, DHC8-401 and DHC-8-402. 

Reason: 

Three in-service propellers have been found to have blades which have lost 

the bonded metallic leading edge guard. If the leading edge guard comes 

off as the propeller turns, it could cause secondary damage to aircraft or 

injury to personnel. For the reasons described above, EASA issued 

Emergency AD 2007-0223-E to require repetitive inspections of the blade 

Leading Edge (L/E) guards for correct bonding until they accumulate more 

than 1 200 FH time in service. 

Revision 1 of this AD was issued to clarify the required inspections and 

follow-up actions depending on findings and to make reference to the latest 

Dowty Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) revision. 

This AD has been further revised for clarification, specifying that blades 

repaired at the tip are only allowed to continue up to 500 hours in service 

after repair. This limitation was already in the Dowty ASB and the Note is 

added to the AD to avoid the impression that the AD does not require the 

same limitation. 

Effective Date: 17 August 2007 
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Compliance: 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within the next 50 FH or within 1 month after the effective date of this 

AD, whichever occurs first, inspect all the concerned blade assemblies 

where the bonded metallic L/E guard has accumulated 1 200 FH or 

less since installation, in accordance with the instructions of Dowty 

Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69; 

(2) Within 50 FH or 1 month after installing a replacement blade, inspect 

the concerned blade assembly where the bonded metallic L/E guard 

has accumulated 1 200 FH or less since installation, in accordance 

with the instructions of Dowty Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69; 

(3) After the inspection as required by paragraph (1) or (2) of this AD, as 

applicable, at intervals not to exceed 100 FH, repeat the inspection of 

the concerned blade assemblies in accordance with the instructions of 

Dowty Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69 until the bonded blade L/E 

guard has accumulated more than 1 200 FH since installation; 

(4) When, during any of the inspections as required by paragraphs (1), (2) 

or (3) of this AD, disbonding is found, apply the criteria as indicated in 

Appendix A of Dowty Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69 Revision 1 

and, within the associated time period, repair or replace the affected 

blade assembly, as necessary, in accordance with the instructions of 

Dowty Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69 Revision 1. 

Note: Blades that have been repaired within the first 101,6 mm (4.0 inches) 

of the tip of the blade as specified in Appendix D of the referenced ASB are 

allowed to continue in service for another 500 FH after accomplishment of 

the repair. Repair does not terminate the repetitive inspection requirements 

of paragraph (3) of this directive. 

Ref. Publications: 

Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin No. D8400-61-A69 initial issue 

dated 15 August 2007 or Revision 1 dated 18 September 2007, or later 

approved revisions. 

Remarks: 

1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can accept 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. The safety assessment has requested not to implement the full 

consultation process and an immediate publication and notification. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be addressed to the AD Focal Point, 

Certification Directorate, EASA - E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu 

4. For any questions concerning the technical content of the requirements 

in this AD, please contact: 

Dowty Propellers, Anson Business Park, Cheltenham Road East 

Gloucester GL2 9QN, United Kingdom 

Tel +44 (0) 1452 716000 - Fax +44 (0) 1452 716001 

e-mail mtowkan@dap.dowty.com