[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 130 (Friday, July 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16536]


  Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 130 / Friday, July 8, 1994 /
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[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 8, 1994]


                                                   VOL. 59, NO. 130

                                               Friday, July 8, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-52-AD; Amendment 39-8971; AD 94-14-22]

 

Airworthiness Directives: de Havilland DHC-6 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to de Havilland DHC-6 series airplanes. This action requires 
repetitively inspecting the horizontal stabilizer center hinge bracket 
for cracks, and replacing any cracked center hinge bracket. Several 
reports of cracks in the horizontal stabilizer center hinge bracket 
flange on the affected airplanes prompted this action. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent separation of the elevator 
control support from the airplane as a result of a cracked horizontal 
stabilizer center hinge bracket, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective August 31, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 31, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from de Havilland, Inc., 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario, 
Canada, M3K 1Y5. This information may also be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Hjelm, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
New York Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin Avenue, Room 
202, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 791-6220; facsimile 
(516) 791-9024.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to certain de Havilland DHC-6 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on February 17, 1994 (59 FR 7913). The action proposed 
to require repetitively inspecting the horizontal stabilizer center 
hinge bracket for cracks, and replacing any cracked center hinge 
bracket. The proposed action would be accomplished in accordance with 
the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of de Havilland Service 
Bulletin 6/512, dated October 25, 1991.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    After careful review of all available information, the FAA has 
determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption 
of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA 
has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning 
of the AD nor add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 169 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $55 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,295. This 
figure only includes the cost for the initial inspection and does not 
include replacement costs if a center hinge bracket is found cracked 
nor does it include repetitive inspection costs. The FAA has no way to 
determine how many center hinge brackets may be cracked or how many 
repetitive inspections each owner/operator may incur.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

94-14-22  de Havilland: Amendment 39-8971; Docket No. 93-CE-52-AD.

    Applicability: Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, and DHC-6-
300 airplanes (all serial numbers), certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required within the next 250 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), unless already accomplished, and thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 1,200 hours TIS.
    To prevent separation of the elevator control support from the 
airplane as a result of a cracked horizontal stabilizer center hinge 
bracket, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the horizontal stabilizer center hinge bracket for 
cracks in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of 
de Havilland Service Bulletin 6/512, dated October 25, 1991, except 
that where dye penetrant inspections are specified, accomplish 
visual inspections with a strong light source and 10X magnifying 
glass. If any cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the 
center hinge bracket in accordance with the referenced service 
bulletin.

    Note 1: The repetitive inspection requirement of this AD still 
applies if the center hinge bracket is replaced.

    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 181 South Franklin Avenue, Room 
202, Valley Stream, New York 11581. The request shall be forwarded 
through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, New York ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the New York ACO.

    (d) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin 6/512, dated October 
25, 1991. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from de Havilland, Inc., 
123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5 Canada. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment (39-8971) becomes effective on August 31, 
1994.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 1, 1994.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-16536 Filed 7-7-94; 8:45 am]
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