[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10220-10224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3926]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1192; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-020-AD; 
Amendment 39-16611; AD 2011-05-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate 
No. A-815 Formerly Held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) 
Model DHC-3 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the 
elevator control tabs for discrepancies and, if any discrepancies are 
found, taking necessary corrective actions to bring all discrepancies 
within acceptable tolerances. This AD also requires reporting certain 
inspection results to the FAA. This AD was prompted by an evaluation of 
revisions to the manufacturer's maintenance manual that adds new 
repetitive inspections of the elevator control tabs. To require 
compliance with these inspections for U.S. owners and operators we are 
mandating the inspections through the rulemaking process. We are 
issuing this AD to add new repetitive inspections of the elevator 
control tabs. If these inspections are not done, excessive free-play in 
the elevator control tabs could develop. This condition could lead to 
loss of tab control linkage and severe elevator flutter. Such elevator 
flutter could lead to possible loss of control.

DATES: This AD is effective March 31, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of March 31, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: For information about the revisions to the FAA-approved 
maintenance/inspection program identified in this AD, contact Viking 
Air Ltd., 9574 Hampden Road, Sidney, BC Canada V8L 5V5; telephone: 
(800) 663-8444; Internet: http://www.vikingair.com. You may review 
copies of the referenced revisions at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 816-329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Duckett, Aerospace Engineer, 
New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7325; fax: (516) 
794-5531; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on

[[Page 10221]]

December 7, 2010 (75 FR 75932). That NPRM proposed to require 
repetitively inspecting the elevator control tabs for discrepancies 
and, if any discrepancies are found, taking necessary corrective 
actions to bring all discrepancies within acceptable tolerances.
    That NPRM also proposed a reporting requirement requesting 
information when the total maximum free play of the elevator servo tab 
and trim tab relative to the elevator exceeds 1.0 degree (this is equal 
to a maximum displacement of 0.070'' at the trailing edge of the servo 
tab). Collecting this information will help us better understand the 
service history related to excessive free-play in the elevator control 
tabs for various Model DHC-3 engine configurations.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Interim Action

    We are continuing to evaluate the cause of the unsafe condition 
identified in this AD to enable us to obtain better insight into the 
nature, cause, and extent of excessive free-play in the elevator 
control tabs. Based on this evaluation, we may consider further 
rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 65 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.....................  1 work-hour x $85    Not applicable....  $85 per inspection  $5,525 per
                                  per hour = $85 per                       cycle.              inspection cycle.
                                  inspection cycle.
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     We estimate the following costs to do any necessary follow-on 
actions that will be required based on the results of the inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need 
this repair/replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum repair.............................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...             $50            $135
Moderate repair............................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255.             150             405
Maximum repair.............................  6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510.             450             960
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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 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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    (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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2011-05-02 Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate No. A-815 Formerly 
Held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 39-16611; 
Docket No. FAA-2010-1192; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-020-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective March 31, 2011.

[[Page 10222]]

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate No. 
A-815 formerly held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Model 
DHC-3 airplanes, all serial numbers, that:
    (1) Do not have the new elevator servo tab and redundant control 
linkage installed according to Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
No. SA01059SE; and
    (2) Are certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight Controls.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from an evaluation of revisions to the 
manufacturer's maintenance manual that adds new repetitive 
inspections to the elevator control tabs. To require compliance with 
these inspections for U.S. owners and operators we are mandating 
these inspections through the rulemaking process. We are issuing 
this AD to add new repetitive inspections of the elevator control 
tabs. If these inspections are not done, excessive free-play in the 
elevator control tabs could develop. This condition could lead to 
loss of tab control linkage and severe elevator flutter. Such 
elevator flutter could lead to possible loss of control.

Compliance

    (f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

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               Actions                             Compliance                            Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the elevator control      Initially within the next 50 hours    Following Viking DHC-3 Otter
 tabs for discrepancies.               time-in-service (TIS) after March     Maintenance Manual Temporary
                                       31, 2011 (the effective date of       Revisions No. 18, No. 19, and No.
                                       this AD). Repetitively thereafter     20, all dated December 5, 2008.
                                       inspect at intervals not to exceed
                                       100 hours TIS.
(2) If any discrepancies are found    Before further flight after any       Following Viking DHC-3 Otter
 during any inspection required in     inspection required in paragraph      Maintenance Manual Temporary
 paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, take     (f)(1) of this AD in which            Revisions No. 18, No. 19, and No.
 necessary corrective actions to       discrepancies are found.              20, all dated December 5, 2008.
 bring all discrepancies within
 acceptable tolerances.
(3) If, during any inspection         Within 30 days after the inspection.  Use the form (Figure 1 of this AD)
 required in paragraph (f)(1) of       We are collecting these inspection    and submit it to FAA, Small
 this AD, the total maximum free       results for 24 months after March     Airplane Directorate, Attn: Jim
 play of the elevator servo tab and    31, 2011 (the effective date of       Rutherford, 901 Locust, Room 301,
 trim tab relative to the elevator     this AD). The reporting               Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
 exceeds 1.0 degree (this is equal     requirements of this AD are no
 to a maximum displacement of          longer required after that time.
 0.070'' at the trailing edge),
 report the results of the
 inspection to the FAA.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR24FE11.003

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Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    (g) A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing, and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

[[Page 10224]]

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) 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. In accordance 
with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or 
local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal 
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as 
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight 
Standards District Office.

Related Information

    (i) For more information about this AD, contact George Duckett, 
Aerospace Engineer, New York ACO, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7325; fax: (516) 
794-5531; e-mail: [email protected].

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Viking DHC-3 Otter Maintenance Manual Temporary 
Revision No. 18, Viking DHC-3 Otter Maintenance Manual Temporary 
Revision No. 19, and Viking DHC-3 Maintenance Manual Temporary 
Revision No. 20, all dated December 5, 2008, to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For information about the revisions to the maintenance 
program identified in this AD, contact Viking Air Ltd., 9574 Hampden 
Road, Sidney, BC Canada V8L 5V5; telephone: (800) 663-8444; 
Internet: http://www.vikingair.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the referenced revisions at the 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 816-329-4148.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 15, 2011.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-3926 Filed 2-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P