Dash 8-100
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
General Maintenance Action
Manuals; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
I; as an Inspector; and Mechanic X were involved with the Left-hand Elevator Assembly that was removed for damage and a replacement Serviceable [Elevator]; according to the rotable tag; was installed on Aircraft X; a DHC-8-100 aircraft. During the installation the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) Chapter 27-32-11 was used as the reference for the installation of the replacement of the elevator. Approximately two weeks later; it was discovered that a bushing was missing from the Inboard Arm Hinge Assembly. The aircraft was brought back to the Maintenance Base on the same day for inspection and we discovered that the bushing Part Number (P/N) XXXX42-101 was in fact missing from the assembly; so a new bushing was installed.  In the 'INSTALLATION Section' of the AMM 27-32-11; the bushing is not mentioned as part of the installation of the elevator to the aircraft. The bushing is part of the Elevator Assemblies from Stock [Parts]. While working on another elevator on a different DHC-8-100 aircraft; Aircraft Y; we noticed the difference between the two elevators; so it became questionable if the bushing P/N XXXX42-101 was present on Aircraft X's L/H Elevator. [Recommend] providing a Task Card (Job Card) specifically for the Removal and Installation of an Elevator and in this Task Card mention items that are part of the Elevator Assembly. Revision to the Manufacturer's Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM). If you look carefully at the current Revision dated December 2004; AMM Chapter 27-32-11; pages 201 to 206; at the beginning of the Removal and Installation of the elevators it refers you to Figure-201. During the' Installation' procedures on Section-B and even the 'Removal' on Section-A; the bushing P/N XXXX42-101 is never mentioned. And if you look at Figure 201; Sheets-1 through -3; the bushing is not on the Diagrams.  Perhaps provide a Fleet Campaign Directive (FCD) to verify no other aircraft has this bushing P/N XXXX42-101 missing from both the L/H and R/H elevators.
An Aircraft Maintenance Inspector reports that he and an Aircraft Maintenance Technician had noticed there were differences in the parts installed at the Inboard Arm Hinge Assemblies on Elevator installations they had performed on two separate DHC-8-100 aircraft. Lack of adequate Diagrams and missing 'Installation' documentation in the Manufacturer's Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) were noted.