[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3792-3793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1873]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-12-AD; Amendment 39-9506; AD 96-03-09]
Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Model DHC-8-102, -103, -
106, -301, -311, -314, and -315 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 series airplanes, that
requires modification of a certain battery temperature monitor. This
amendment is prompted by reports of failure of the battery temperature
monitor, which resulted in smoke in the flight compartment. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the battery
monitor, which could result in smoke in the flight compartment.
DATES: Effective March 4, 1996. -
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 4, 1996.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division,
Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario, Canada M3K 1Y5. 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, New York Aircraft Certification Office,
Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, 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: Peter Cuneo, Electrical Engineer, ANE-
172, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New
York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7506; fax (516) 568-2716.
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
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 21,
1995 (60 FR 9647). That action proposed to require modification of a
certain battery temperature monitor. -
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 proposed rule. -
Since issuance of the NPRM, Transport Canada Aviation has issued
Canadian airworthiness directive CF-94-22R1, dated June 30, 1995, which
revises the effectivity of the original version of the Canadian
airworthiness directive by adding Model DHC-8-315 series airplanes. -
The FAA has revised the applicability of the final rule to include
these additional airplanes. These additional airplanes currently are
operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they
are not affected directly by this AD action. However, the FAA considers
that the revision to the applicability of the rule is necessary to
ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that these
subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future. -
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 with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD. -
The FAA estimates that 137 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts will be nominal.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $8,220, or $60 per airplane. -
The 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.
[[Page 3793]]
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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended] -
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-03-09 De Havilland, Inc.: Amendment 39-9506. Docket 95-NM-12-AD.
-Applicability: Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -301, -311, -314,
and -315 series airplanes, serial numbers 003 through 389 inclusive;
equipped with Ametek/Weston battery temperature monitor having part
number (P/N) 522487; certificated in any category. -
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
-Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously. -
To prevent failure of the battery temperature monitor, which
could result in smoke in the flight compartment, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the battery temperature monitor in accordance with de Havilland
Service Bulletin S.B. 8-24-53, dated September 7, 1994. -
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
an Ametek/Weston battery temperature monitor, P/N 522487, on any
airplane. -
(c) 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 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) 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. -
(e) The modification shall be done in accordance with de
Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-24-53, dated September 7, 1994.
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,
Canada M3K 1Y5. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or
at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and
Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream,
New York 11581; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. -
(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 4, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 25, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-1873 Filed 2-1-96; 8:45 am]
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