BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE

123 GARRATT BLVD

TORONTO, CANADA M3K 1Y5
TEL. 1-514-855-8500 or Toll Free North America 1-844-272-2720
FAX. 416-375-4539
thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com
www.bombardier.com
 

SERVICE LETTER
In-Service Engineering
and Technical Support

DH8-SL-27-016

Flight Operations Service Letter ATA: 2700

DATE: Jun 06 2017

SUBJECT: Spurious Stick Shaker

MODEL: Dash-8-300

APPLICABILITY: DHC-8-100/200/300 all models

PURPOSE:
This Service Letter provides background information regarding reports of spurious stick shaker
events, investigation and findings.

DISCUSSION:

Bombardier has investigated operator reports of intermittent spurious stick shaker events on
Q300 aircraft.

These reports are observed to be random in nature and last about one second. At no time
does the auto pilot disconnect.

The investigation found the vast number of these reports came from aircraft SN 599 and up.
However, there are many aircraft within this range that have not reported these events.

DH8-400-SL-27-016
Page 1 of 3
Form No. ISETS-04-Q400 SL Rev. 2014-10-16LDB
 
 

Three aircraft were instrumented with a high speed recorder to capture discrete shaker
activation and stall computer A429 data. In all three aircraft, it was found that the stall warning
computer was reacting to a 100ms spike in Mach and TAS. The computer would output a
100ms signal to the stick shaker. Due to the shaker motor ramp up and ramp down, flight crews
would experience this as an event lasting about one second. At no time in these recorded
events was this event produced on both the left and right side at the same time.

The most frequent event aircraft was fitted with A429 and ASCB recording equipment. This
same aircraft reported an event on the day prior to being fitted. The aircraft flew in non- revenue
service for over 50 hours without an event. On the next flight after equipment removal, the
events returned.

Investigation and testing of ASCB buss impedance commenced. The ASCB buss impedance is
127 +/- 1 ohm. No improvement was noted when 128 +/- 0.1 ohm used, but a margin of
improvement was noted with 126 +/- 0.1 ohms.

The investigation found the issue was always due to a spike in Mach and TAS lasting 100ms
and that it was believed related to ASCB buss impedance.

The extensive testing that has been done, the duration of the spike (100ms), the fact that the
stall warning computer is checked every preflight, the recertification effort needed to incorporate
“reasonableness” checks internal to the stall computer or FDAU ASCB investigation concluded
that a time delay on activate relay could be proposed.

A 120ms time delay on activate relay (one per channel) has been approved for installation on
the event aircraft. The relays are located on a bracket beside the stall warning computer, under
the right hand CB side console.

There have been no further reports of events from the fitted aircraft.

OPERATOR ACTION:

Bombardier intends to issue a Service Bulletin for the remaining applicable aircraft.

DH8-400-SL-27-016
Page 2 of 3
Form No. ISETS-04-Q400 SL Rev. 2014-10-16LDB
 
 

Please direct responses and inquiries regarding the content of this Service Letter to your
Bombardier Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Field Service Representative or the Technical Help
Desk in Toronto at telephone 1-514-855-8500 or Toll Free North America 1-844-272-2720 or
facsimile (416) 375-4539 or e-mail: thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com.

Electronic signature on file Electronic signature on file

Harlan Simpkins Gino Pagliuso
Chief Customer Liaison Pilot Manager,Technical Help Desk
Customer Services ISE & Technical Support Q Series
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft Bombardier Commercial Aircraft

DH8-400-SL-27-016
Page 3 of 3
Form No. ISETS-04-Q400 SL Rev. 2014-10-16LDB