[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24870]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-06-AD; Amendment 39-9044; AD 94-21-01]

 

Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-100 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain de Havilland Model DHC-8-100 series airplanes, 
that requires modification of the potentiometer lever stops on the nose 
wheel steering. This amendment is prompted by a report that the 
potentiometer stops installed currently on these airplanes are too 
short to limit excessive uncontrolled potentiometer movement in the 
event of a mechanical link failure. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent the airplane from departing the runway during 
takeoff or landing in the event of the failure of the mechanical link 
between the rudder pedals and the potentiometer.

DATES: Effective November 14, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 14, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bombardier Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 
Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information 
may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York 
Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin Avenue, Valley 
Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bradford Chin, Electronics Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANE-173, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin 
Avenue, Room 202, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 791-
6427; fax (516) 791-9024.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain de Havilland Model DHC-8-
100 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 7, 
1994 (59 FR 16574). That action proposed to require modification of the 
potentiometer lever stops on the nose wheel steering.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the rule.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 48 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $55 per work hour. The cost for required parts will be minimal. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $7,920, or $165 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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 the following new 
airworthiness directive:

94-21-01  de Havilland, Inc.: Amendment 39-9044. Docket 94-NM-06-AD.

    Applicability: Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 series airplanes, 
serial numbers 003 through 334 inclusive, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the airplane from departing the runway during takeoff 
or landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the potentiometer lever stops on the nose wheel steering in 
accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-32-99, Revision 
`A,' dated July 26, 1993.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, New York ACO.

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

    (c) 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.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with de 
Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-32-99, Revision `A,' dated July 
26, 1993. 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 Bombardier Inc., 
Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, 
Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin Avenue, 
Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 14, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 3, 1994.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-24870 Filed 10-12-94; 8:45 am]
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