[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 23, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78673-78675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30514]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1330; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-138-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as: ``Transport Canada has received numerous service 
difficulty reports concerning Viking DHC-7 and Bombardier DHC-8 
aircraft fluorescent lamp holder damage due to overheating. It has been 
determined that lamp holder overheating is a result of arcing between 
the fluorescent tube pins and the lamp holder contacts when the tube is 
not properly seated during installation.

[[Page 78674]]

Overheating of lamp holders, if not corrected, could generate fumes and 
smoke.''
    The unsafe condition could result in an in-flight fire. The 
proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 22, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Viking Air Limited, 9574 Hampden Road, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 
8V5, Canada; telephone 250-656-7227; fax 250-656-0673; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.vikingair.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wing Chan, Aerospace Engineer, Systems 
and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; 
telephone (516) 228-7311; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-1330; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-138-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2008-27, dated July 4, 2008 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    Transport Canada has received numerous service difficulty 
reports concerning Viking DHC-7 and Bombardier DHC-8 aircraft 
fluorescent lamp holder damage due to overheating. It has been 
determined that lamp holder overheating is a result of arcing 
between the fluorescent tube pins and the lamp holder contacts when 
the tube is not properly seated during installation. Overheating of 
lamp holders, if not corrected, could generate fumes and smoke, 
causing concern to passengers and crew.
    This directive mandates repetitive inspection[s] for proper 
installation [and functioning] of fluorescent tubes and prohibits 
installation of non-arc-protected replacement fluorescent lamp 
ballasts.

The unsafe condition could result in an in-flight fire. The corrective 
actions include replacing any lamps that are not properly seated in the 
lamp holder, and replacing any broken, non-functioning lamp holders. 
Replacing all affected fluorescent lamp ballasts would terminate the 
repetitive inspections. You may obtain further information by examining 
the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Viking Air Limited has issued Service Bulletin V7-33-01, dated 
February 28, 2008. The actions described in this service information 
are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 21 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $1,680, or $80 per product, per inspection 
cycle.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for

[[Page 78675]]

safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Viking Air Limited (Formerly Bombardier, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2008-
1330; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-138-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by January 22, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7-1, DHC-7-
100, DHC-7-101, DHC-7-102, and DHC-7-103 airplanes, certificated in 
any category; serial numbers 1 through 113 inclusive, with 
Modifications 7/2444 and 7/2445 incorporated.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33: Lights.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    Transport Canada has received numerous service difficulty 
reports concerning Viking DHC-7 and Bombardier DHC-8 aircraft 
fluorescent lamp holder damage due to overheating. It has been 
determined that lamp holder overheating is a result of arcing 
between the fluorescent tube pins and the lamp holder contacts when 
the tube is not properly seated during installation. Overheating of 
lamp holders, if not corrected, could generate fumes and smoke, 
causing concern to passengers and crew.
    This directive mandates repetitive inspection[s] for proper 
installation [and functioning] of fluorescent tubes and prohibits 
installation of non-arc-protected replacement fluorescent lamp 
ballasts.
    The unsafe condition could result in an in-flight fire. The 
corrective actions include replacing any lamps that are not properly 
seated in the lamp holder, and replacing any broken, non-functioning 
lamp holders. Replacing all affected fluorescent lamp ballasts would 
terminate the repetitive inspections.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Perform a visual inspection to ensure proper installation and 
functioning of the fluorescent tubes in the lamp holders, and 
perform all applicable corrective actions before further flight, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Viking Service 
Bulletin V7-33-01, dated February 28, 2008. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours.
    (2) Replacing all fluorescent lamp ballasts having part number 
(P/N) BAO8006-1 and BA[O]8006-28-1 with new fluorescent lamp 
ballasts having P/N BR9000-21, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Viking Service Bulletin V7-33-01, dated February 28, 
2008, terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Wing Chan, Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York 
ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; 
telephone (516) 228-7311; fax (516) 794-5531. Before using any 
approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards 
District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2008-27, 
dated July 4, 2008, and Viking Service Bulletin V7-33-01, dated 
February 28, 2008, for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 13, 2008.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-30514 Filed 12-22-08; 8:45 am]
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