AD FAA-2018-0160

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-24-03, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2016-24-03 required repetitive detailed inspections of barrel nuts and cradles, a check of the bolt torque of the preload indicating (PLI) washers, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2016-24-03 and requires modifying the airplane by installing a sealing disk to a certain location and replacing certain barrel nuts. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked and corroded barrel nuts found at the mid-spar location of the horizontal-stabilizer-to-vertical-stabilizer attachment joint, and the issuance of new service information that includes a terminal modification. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.