[Federal Register: January 8, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 5)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 1269-1271]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08ja08-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0410; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-338-AD;
Amendment 39-15325; AD 2008-01-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Model (Caribou) DHC-
4 and (Caribou) DHC-4A Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This 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:
During a heavy maintenance check on a DHC-4 aircraft, an
operator discovered that both of the upper engine mount bracket
assemblies on one aircraft were cracked. Further inspection of the
operator's fleet confirmed that engine mount bracket assemblies on
five out of ten aircraft were also cracked.
* * * * *
Failure of the upper engine mount bracket assembly could result in
separation of the engine from the airplane. This AD requires actions
that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the
MCAI.
DATES: This AD becomes effective January 23, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication, listed in the AD as of January 23,
2008.
We must receive comments on this AD by February 7, 2008.
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-
[[Page 1270]]
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 W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, 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 Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations 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,
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7325; fax (516) 794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2007-26, dated November 7, 2007 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:
During a heavy maintenance check on a DHC-4 aircraft, an
operator discovered that both of the upper engine mount bracket
assemblies on one aircraft were cracked. Further inspection of the
operator's fleet confirmed that engine mount bracket assemblies on
five out of ten aircraft were also cracked.
As an interim action to prevent failure of upper engine mount
bracket assemblies, this directive mandates a one-time fluorescent
penetrant inspection. Subsequent corrective action may be
implemented in the future pending results of the investigation.
Failure of the upper engine mount bracket assembly could result in
separation of the engine from the airplane. Corrective actions include
replacing any cracked engine mount bracket assembly with a new
assembly. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in
the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Viking Air Limited has issued Alert Service Bulletin V4/0001, dated
November 9, 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 This 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 the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between the 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 required 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 AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
failure of the upper engine mount bracket assembly could lead to
separation of the engine from the airplane. Therefore, we find that
notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon are
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0410; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NM-338-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
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 AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:
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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.
[[Page 1271]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2008-01-02 Viking Air Limited (Formerly Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment
39-15325. Docket No. FAA-2008-0410; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
338-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January
23, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Viking Air Limited Model (Caribou)
DHC-4 and (Caribou) DHC-4A airplanes, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54:
Nacelles/Pylons.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
``During a heavy maintenance check on a DHC-4 aircraft, an
operator discovered that both of the upper engine mount bracket
assemblies on one aircraft were cracked. Further inspection of the
operator's fleet confirmed that engine mount bracket assemblies on
five out of ten aircraft were also cracked.
``As an interim action to prevent failure of upper engine mount
bracket assemblies, this directive mandates a one-time fluorescent
penetrant inspection. Subsequent corrective action may be
implemented in the future pending results of the investigation.''
Failure of the upper engine mount bracket assembly could result
in separation of the engine from the airplane. Corrective actions
include replacing any cracked engine mount bracket assembly with a
new assembly.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 10 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
do a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) for cracking of the
upper engine mount bracket assemblies having part numbers C4WM1090-1
and C4WM1090-2, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of Viking Alert Service Bulletin V4/0001, dated November 9, 2007.
Before further flight, replace any cracked engine mount bracket
assembly with a new engine mount bracket assembly, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin.
(2) Within 7 days after completing the inspection required by
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD or within 30 days after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, report any crack found to:
Viking Technical Support, E-mail: technical.support@vikingair.com;
telephone 250-656-7227; toll free 1-800-663-8444; fax 250-656-0673.
(3) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Viking All Operators Message 2007-4-11-02, Revision
A, dated November 5, 2007, are considered acceptable for compliance
with the requirements of this AD.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) 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, ANE-171, FAA, New York
Aircraft 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, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-26,
dated November 7, 2007; Viking All Operators Message 2007-4-11-02,
Revision A, dated November 5, 2007; and Viking Alert Service
Bulletin V4/0001, dated November 9, 2007; for related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Viking Alert Service Bulletin V4/0001, dated
November 9, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the
AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Viking Air Limited, 9574 Hampden Road, Sidney, British Columbia V8L
5V5, Canada.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information
on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030,
or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 20, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-25613 Filed 1-7-08; 8:45 am]
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