AD on CRJ-200 Flaps

Following on a July order from the Canadian government, the FAA issued an airworthiness directive addressing flap failures on Bombardier CL-600-2B19 airplanes which have failed in various positions for several years. ALPA recently cited the pilots of the Air Canada Jazz jet for one of its safety awards when flaps failed on landing. Related Story  The FAA ordered changes to the flight manual calling for additional guidance on dealing with flap failures as well as the possibility of fuel exhaustion resulting from failures at other than 0 degrees. In addition to changes in the manual regarding operational and training procedures, the order calls for maintenance actions to prevent the problem including the cleaning and lubrication of the flexible shafts. It also calls for investigative and corrective actions which include a detailed inspection of the actuator connector sealant bead for signs of damage or delamination, repair of damaged sealant, and if necessary, a low temperature torque check on the actuator and if torque test results are not satisfactory, an installation of a serviceable actuator. The corrective "maintenance actions'' also include installation of metallic seals in the flexible drive-shafts, and applicable related investigative and corrective actions (which include a detailed inspection of the mating surfaces on the flexible drive- shaft for damage (scratches or dents), and if mating surfaces have damage, cleaning the sealing washer and mating surfaces and applying sealant).