[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30121-30122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14222]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-60-AD; Amendment 39-10550; AD 98-11-25]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-311 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-8-311 and -315 series
airplanes, that requires replacement of the nitrogen cylinder
assemblies that inflate the airplane's ditching dams with improved
nitrogen cylinder assemblies. This amendment is prompted by issuance of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended
to prevent failure of the ditching dams to inflate fully during an
emergency water landing, which could result in water entering the
airplane.
DATES: Effective July 8, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 8, 1998.
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, 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: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street,
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7520;
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-
311 and -315 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
April 2, 1998 (63 FR 16169). That action proposed to require
replacement of the nitrogen cylinder assemblies that inflate the
airplane's ditching dams with improved nitrogen cylinder assemblies.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the
manufacturer of the nitrogen cylinder assembly at no cost to the
operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $480, or $240 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.
Regulatory Impact
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-11-25 De Havilland Inc.: Amendment 39-10550. Docket 98-NM-60-AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-311 and -315 series airplanes in the
medium and high gross weight configuration, on which Bombardier
Change Request CR803SO00001, CR803SO00002, CR803CH00046,
CR803CH00079, CR803CH00105, CR825CH00847, or CR803CH00051 has been
incorporated; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the ditching dams to inflate fully during
an emergency water landing, which could result in water entering the
airplane, accomplish the following:
[[Page 30122]]
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the existing nitrogen cylinder assembly on the ditching dams with a
new nitrogen cylinder assembly that incorporates an improved valve
assembly (reference de Havilland Modification 8/3154), in accordance
with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-25-122, dated October 10,
1997.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane any nitrogen cylinder assembly having part number
410870(BSC) or 410870-1.
(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 replacement shall be done in accordance with Bombardier
Service Bulletin S.B. 8-25-122, dated October 10, 1997. 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, 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-97-21, dated November 13, 1997.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on July 8, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 22, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14222 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
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