[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17970-17972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9583]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-120-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; deHavilland Inc. Model Otter DHC-3
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain deHavilland Inc. (deHavilland) Model
Otter DHC-3 airplanes modified by supplemental type certificate (STC)
No. SA3777NM. The proposed action would require modifying the
airplane's electrical system. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to prevent electrical system failure, which, if not
corrected, could result in the loss of the engine instruments or a
possible electrical fire in the airplane's cockpit.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 13, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-120-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays
excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from A.M. Luton, 3025 Eldridge Avenue, Bellingham, Washington 98225;
telephone: (360) 671-7817, facsimile: (360) 671-7820. This information
also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Pasion, Aerospace Engineer,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone: (425) 227-2594; facsimile:
(425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact
[[Page 17971]]
concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the
Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-120-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-120-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness authority for Canada,
recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain
deHavilland Model Otter DHC-3 airplanes that are modified by A.M. Luton
STC No. SA3777NM. Transport Canada reports that that the modification
of the electrical system in accordance with STC No. SA3777NM is in non-
compliance with part 23 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
part 23), Electrical Systems requirements. The deficiencies that exist
with the current installations of this STC are: that the voltage
regulator for the starter/generator does not have ``over-voltage''
protection, the ammeter does not indicate the actual electrical system
loads after the new engine installation, and the electrical
distribution bus for the new engine instrumentation and operational
loads are improperly protected. These conditions, if not corrected,
could result in the loss of the engine instruments or a possible
electrical fire in the airplane's cockpit.
Relevant Service Information
A.M. Luton has issued Service Information Letter SA-SIL-98-11-03,
``Electrical Systems'', Revision I/R, undated, which references the
A.M. Luton Electrical System Schematic Drawing 20075, Rev. F and D,
Sheets 1, 2, and 3, dated August 15, 1997. This drawing includes
procedures for replacing the voltage regulator and voltage-ammeter
gauge, and modifying the auxiliary bus systems.
The FAA's Determination
This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
The FAA has reviewed all available information related to this
subject; including the service information referenced above, and
determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design
that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other deHavilland Model Otter DHC-3 airplanes of
the same type design registered in the United States that are modified
by STC No. SA3777NM, the proposed AD would require modifying the
airplane's electrical system. Accomplishment of the proposed
installation would be in accordance with A.M. Luton Service Information
Letter SA-SIL-98-11-03, ``Electrical Systems'', Revision I/R, undated,
which references the A.M. Luton Electrical System Schematic Drawing
20075, Rev. D and F, Sheets 1, 2, and 3, dated August 15, 1997.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 17 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $2,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$54,400 or $3,200 per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would 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) if promulgated,
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 draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Dehavilland, Inc.: Docket No. 97-CE-120-AD.
Applicability: Model Otter DHC-3 airplanes (all serial numbers),
certificated in any category, that are modified by A.M. Luton
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA3777NM.
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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent electrical system failure, which, if not corrected,
could result in the loss of the engine instruments or a possible
electrical fire in the airplane's cockpit, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the voltage regulator and the voltage-ammeter gauge,
and modify the auxiliary bus systems in accordance with A.M. Luton
Service Information Letter No. SA-SIL-98-11-03, ``Electrical
Systems'', Revision I/R, undated, which specifies following the
procedures found in A.M. Luton Electrical System Schematic, Drawing
[[Page 17972]]
20075, Rev. D and F, Sheets 1, 2, and 3, dated August 15, 1997.
(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
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056. The request
shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from Seattle Aircraft Certification Office.
(d) Questions or technical information related to A.M. Luton
Service Information Letter SA-SIL-98-11-03, Electrical Systems,
Revision I/R, undated, and A.M. Luton Electrical System Schematic,
Drawing 20075, Rev. D and F, Sheets 1, 2, and 3, dated August 15,
1997, should be directed to A.M. Luton, 3025 Eldridge Ave.,
Bellingham, WA 98226; telephone: (360) 671-7817, facsimile: (360)
671-7820. This service information may be examined at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 3, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9583 Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P