[Federal Register: February 19, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 32)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7641-7643]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19fe09-1]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each
week.
========================================================================
[[Page 7641]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-1267; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-069-AD;
Amendment 39-15815; AD 2009-04-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Model DHC-6-1, DHC-
6-100, DHC-6-200, and DHC-6-300 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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:
There have been reports of inter-rivet cracking on several wing
front spar adapter assemblies (P/N C6WM1027-1) on the horizontal and
vertical flanges. It was determined that the cracking was caused by
stress corrosion in the short transverse grain initiated by local
riveting induced stresses.
We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 26, 2009.
As of August 5, 2008 (73 FR 37353, July 1, 2008), the Director of
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Viking
DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletins No. V6/540, dated October 1, 2007;
No. V6/541, dated October 1, 2007; and No. V6/542, dated October 1,
2007; and R.W. Martin, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 00160/2, Revision A,
dated November 15, 2007, listed in this AD.
ADDRESSES: 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pong Lee, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, New
York Aircraft Certification Office, ANE-171, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7324; fax: (516)
794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2008 (73
FR 73618), and proposed to supersede AD 2008-11-10, Amendment 39-15532
(73 FR 37353, July 1, 2008). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that:
There have been reports of inter-rivet cracking on several wing
front spar adapter assemblies (P/N C6WM1027-1) on the horizontal and
vertical flanges. It was determined that the cracking was caused by
stress corrosion in the short transverse grain initiated by local
riveting induced stresses. This directive mandates modification and
inspection of the wing front spar adapter fitting and replacement of
cracked fittings.
Since we issued AD 2008-11-10, Amendment 39-15532 (73 FR 37353, July 1,
2008), we have added to the Applicability section additional wing box
part numbers that may incorporate a P/N C6WM1027-1 front spar adapter
assembly with 10 or more years of service.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Differences Between This 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 157 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 18 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of
this AD to the U.S. operators to be $226,080 or $1,440 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 200 work-hours and require parts costing $3,696, for a cost
of $19,696 per product. We have no way of determining the number of
products that may need these actions.
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
[[Page 7642]]
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 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.
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
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, 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.
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 removing Amendment 39-15532 (73 FR
37353, July 1, 2008) and adding the following new AD:
2009-04-09 Viking Air Limited: Amendment 39-15815; Docket No. FAA-
2008-1267; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-069-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March
26, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-11-10, Amendment 39-15532 (73 FR
37353, July 1, 2008).
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100,
DHC-6-200, and DHC-6-300 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are
certificated in any category:
(1) Group 1: Equipped with wing boxes, part numbers (P/Ns)
C6W1002-1, C6W1002-3, WR6-1002-59 or WR6-1002-61 that incorporate a
P/N C6WM1027-1 front spar adapter assembly with 10 or more years of
service; and
(2) Group 2: Equipped with wing boxes, P/Ns C6W1002-5, C6W1002-
7, C6W1002-9, C6W1002-11, C6W1002-13, C6W1002-15, C6W1002-17,
C6W1002-19, C6W1002-21, C6W1002-23, C6W1002-51, C6W1002-53, C6W1002-
55, C6W1002-57 or C6W1002-61 that incorporate a P/N C6WM1027-1 front
spar adapter assembly with 10 or more years of service.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
``There have been reports of inter-rivet cracking on several
wing front spar adapter assemblies (P/N C6WM1027-1) on the
horizontal and vertical flanges. It was determined that the cracking
was caused by stress corrosion in the short transverse grain
initiated by local riveting induced stresses. This directive
mandates modification and inspection of the wing front spar adapter
fitting and replacement of cracked fittings.''
Since we issued AD 2008-11-10, Amendment 39-15532 (73 FR 37353, July
1, 2008), we have added to the Applicability section additional wing
box part numbers that may incorporate a P/N C6WM1027-1 front spar
adapter assembly with 10 or more years of service.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) For Group 1 airplanes, within the next 180 days after August
5, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-11-10), install inspection
holes in the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) lower wing skins
following Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin Number V6/541,
dated October 1, 2007.
(2) For Group 2 airplanes, within the next 180 days after the
effective date of this AD, install inspection holes in the LH and RH
lower wing skins following Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin
Number V6/541, dated October 1, 2007.
(3) For Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes, before further flight
after installing the inspection holes required in paragraph (f)(1)
or (f)(2) of this AD, initially inspect the LH and RH front spar
adapter assemblies for cracks, and repetitively thereafter inspect
all affected wing box P/Ns at intervals not to exceed 1,200 hours
time-in-service or 12 months, whichever occurs first, until the
replacement required in paragraph (f)(4) of this AD is done.
(i) For wing box P/Ns C6W1002-1, C6W1002-3, C6W1002-5, C6W1002-
7, C6W1002-9, C6W1002-11, C6W1002-13, C6W1002-15, C6W1002-17,
C6W1002-19, C6W1002-21, C6W1002-23, C6W1002-51, C6W1002-53, C6W1002-
55, C6W1002-57, C6W1002-59, and C6W1002-61, inspect following Viking
DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin Number V6/540, dated October 1,
2007.
(ii) For wing box P/Ns WR6-1002-59 or WR6-1002-61, inspect
following R.W. Martin, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 00160/2, Revision
A, dated November 15, 2007.
(4) For Group 1 and 2 airplanes, before further flight after
doing any inspection required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD where
cracks are found, replace the cracked front spar adapter assembly
with a front spar adapter assembly, P/N C6WM1027-3. Do the
replacement following Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin
Number V6/542, dated October 1, 2007. This replacement terminates
the repetitive inspections required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD
for the replaced front spar adapter assembly.
(5) As a terminating action for the repetitive inspections
required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, at any time after the
initial inspection required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, you may
replace P/N C6WM1027-1 with P/N C6WM1027-3, except it must be
replaced prior to further flight as required by paragraph (f)(4) of
this AD.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows:
(1) MCAI Transport Canada AD No. CF-2007-31, dated December 17,
2007, is applicable to airplane models with front spar adapter
assembly P/N C6WM1027-3 that incorporate task C57-10-18 of the DHC-6
Corrosion Prevention and Control Manual (CPCM), PSM 1-6-5.
(2) The applicability of this AD does not include airplane
models with front spar adapter assembly P/N C6WM1027-3 that
incorporate task C57-10-18 of the DHC-6 CPCM, PSM 1-6-5, which is
required in the Transport Canada AD No. CF-94-12R1, dated April 13,
1999, and AD No. CF-99-11, dated May 28, 1999. We have addressed the
Corrosion Prevention and Control Program in AD 2008-13-11 (73 FR
37355, July 1, 2008), which identifies specific areas that must be
inspected to ensure the structural integrity of the DHC-6 fleet.
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
[[Page 7643]]
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Pong Lee, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, ANE-171, 1600
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone:
(516) 228-7324; 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
(h) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD No. CF-2007-31, dated
December 17, 2007; Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletins No. V6/
540, dated October 1, 2007; No. V6/541, dated October 1, 2007; and
No. V6/542, dated October 1, 2007; and R.W. Martin, Inc. Service
Bulletin No. 00160/2, Revision A, dated November 15, 2007, for
related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletins No.
V6/540, dated October 1, 2007; No. V6/541, dated October 1, 2007;
and No. V6/542, dated October 1, 2007; and R.W. Martin, Inc. Service
Bulletin No. 00160/2, Revision A, dated November 15, 2007, to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) On August 5, 2008 (73 FR 37353, July 1, 2008), the Director
of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by
reference of Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletins No. V6/540,
dated October 1, 2007; No. V6/541, dated October 1, 2007; and No.
V6/542, dated October 1, 2007; and R.W. Martin, Inc. Service
Bulletin No. 00160/2, Revision A, dated November 15, 2007.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Viking Air Limited, 9574 Hampden Road, Sidney, B.C., Canada V8L 5V5;
telephone: (250) 656-7227; fax: (250) 656-0673; Internet: http://
www.vikingair.com; or R.W. Martin, Inc., 37552 Winchester Road,
Hangar 20, Murrieta, California 92563; telephone: (951) 600-0009;
fax: (951) 600-1005; Internet: http://www.rwmi.net.
(3) You may review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 2009.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-3115 Filed 2-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P