[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 130 (Friday, July 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
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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 /
[[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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