[Federal Register: November 14, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 219)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64010-64012]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14no07-22]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-27192; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-008-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Model DHC-6 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to
identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The
MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
Certain structural components must be replaced by new components
at a certain stage of the aircraft's life to avoid any possibility
of fatigue failure.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 14,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
; or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this
proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone
(800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Duckett, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, New York Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410,
Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7325; fax: (516) 794-
5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
27192; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-008-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On February 4, 1983, we issued AD 83-02-02, Amendment 39-4553. That
AD required actions intended to address an unsafe condition on the
products listed above.
Since we issued AD 83-02-02, structural evaluations of the DHC-6
series airplanes have shown that the service life limits and inspection
schedules need to be revised.
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued AD No. CF-2000-14, dated May 25, 2000, (referred to after this
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI refers to the Product Support Manual (PSM) 1-6-11,
Revision 5, dated January 11, 2000, which describes the unsafe
condition as:
Certain structural components must be replaced by new components
at a certain stage of the aircraft's life to avoid any possibility
of fatigue failure.
The MCAI requires you to inspect, modify, and/or retire affected
structural components to maintain the structural integrity of DHC-6
airplanes.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Viking Air Limited has issued PSM 1-6-11, Revision 6, dated March
28, 2007. The actions described in this service information are
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us
[[Page 64011]]
of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all
information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to
exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 166 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 30 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $988 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $562,408, or $3,388 per product.
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need
any modifications, repairs, or replacements based on the results of the
repetitive inspections.
In addition, since the proposed AD is reducing the life limit of
certain structural components of the affected airplanes, there would be
replacement costs incurred earlier than expected. The FAA has no way of
determining the operational usage of each airplane. Therefore, we
cannot determine what these costs would be.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing AD 83-02-02, Amendment
39-4553; and adding the following new AD:
Viking Air Limited (formerly Bombardier Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2007-
27192; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-008-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by December 14, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 83-02-02, Amendment 39-4553.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, and
DHC-6-300 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any
category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 51:
Structures.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
refers to the Product Support Manual (PSM) 1-6-11, Revision 5, dated
January 11, 2000, which states:
Certain structural components must be replaced by new components
at a certain stage of the aircraft's life to avoid any possibility
of fatigue failure.
The MCAI requires you to inspect, modify, and/or retire affected
structural components to maintain the structural integrity of DHC-6
airplanes.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, for all aircraft, incorporate the inspections,
modifications, and/or retirement of components specified in
Bombardier Inc. (formerly de Havilland) DHC-6 ``Twin Otter'' PSM 1-
6-11, Revision 6, dated March 28, 2007, into the aircraft
maintenance program. The compliance times are specified in the
manual. For aircraft that are approaching or have exceeded the
threshold of the new or revised inspections introduced by this AD,
compliance with the threshold inspection may be modified as detailed
below:
(1) Pre Mod 6/1117 Wing Assemblies:
(i) If the last inspection done of the main wing spar attachment
lug fastener holes, before the effective date of this AD, was an
eddy current inspection following Bombardier Inc. (formerly de
Havilland) DHC-6 ``Twin Otter'' PSM 1-6-11, Revision 5, dated
January 11, 2000; or PSM 1-6-11, Revision 6, dated March 28, 2007;
do the repeat high frequency eddy current inspection in accordance
with the schedule in PSM 1-6-11, Revision 6, dated March 28, 2007.
(ii) If the last inspection done of the main wing spar
attachment lug fastener holes, before the effective date of this AD,
was an ultrasonic inspection following Bombardier Service Bulletin
6/525, dated September 6, 1996, do the first high frequency eddy
current inspection within 1,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 2,000
flights, whichever occurs first, after the last ultrasonic
inspection. Repetitively inspect thereafter in accordance with the
schedule in PSM 1-6-11, dated March 28, 2007.
(2) Post Mod 6/1117 and Post Mod 6/1630 Wing Assemblies: If the
inspection threshold for the lower wing skin, stringers, and aft
[[Page 64012]]
spar lower flange WS122 to WS263 (ribs 8 to 20) has been exceeded or
will be exceeded within 6 months after the effective date of this
AD, do the initial inspection within the next 500 hours TIS, 1,000
flights, or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first, following PSM 1-6-11, Revision 6, dated March 28,
2007.
(g) You may take ``unless already done'' credit if the above
actions were done following the procedures described in Bombardier
Inc. (formerly de Havilland) DHC-6 ``Twin Otter'' PSM 1-6-11,
Revision 5, dated January 11, 2000.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: The MCAI references PSM 1-6-11, Revision 5, dated
January 11, 2000. PSM 1-6-11, Revision 6, dated March 28, 2007, has
since been issued and is referenced for compliance in this AD.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New
York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: George Duckett, Aerospace
Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Branch, FAA, New York
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, Westbury, New
York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7325; fax: (516) 794-5531. Before
using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies,
notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Related Information
(i) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD No. CF-2000-14, dated May
25, 2000; and Viking Air Limited Structural Components Service Life
Limits Manual PSM 1-6-11, Revision 6, dated March 28, 2007, for
related information.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 6, 2007.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-22264 Filed 11-13-07; 8:45 am]
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