[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 166 (Wednesday, August 27, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51088-51090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19973]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0616; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-018-AD; 
Amendment 39-17954; AD 2014-17-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Viking 
Air Limited Model DHC-3 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as looseness of the horizontal stabilizer actuator mounting 
block in the forward-aft and side-to-side directions. We are issuing 
this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 16, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 16, 
2014.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 14, 2014.

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 W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Viking Air 
Limited Technical Support, 1959 De Havilland Way, Sidney, British 
Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; Fax: 250-656-0673; telephone: (North 
America) 1-800-663-8444; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=358. You may view 
this referenced service information 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0616; 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 street address for the Docket 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: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Safety Enginer, 
FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Steward Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7318; fax: (516) 
794-5531; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued AD No. CF-2014-14, dated June 5, 2014 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Viking Air Limited 
Model DHC-3 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A horizontal stabilizer actuator (trim jack) mounting block, 
part number C3FS79-5, was found loose in the forward-aft and side-
to-side directions. The trim jack mounting block fastens the 
stabilizer actuator (trim jack) which allows the angle of incidence 
of the stabilizer to be varied. The stabilizer actuator (trim jack) 
also functions as the rear mounting point for the stabilizer.
    Failure of the mounting block through breakage or detachment may 
cause loss of control of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent 
loss of control of the aeroplane. Therefore, this AD mandates a one-
time inspection of the stabilizer actuator (trim jack) mounting 
block.

    You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0616.

Relevant Service Information

    Viking Air Limited has issued Viking Service Bulletin No. V3/0005, 
Revision `A', dated May 27, 2014. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the 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 this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. After the State of Design 
reviews and evaluates the reporting data, we may take further 
rulemaking action in the future.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
failure of the mounting block through breakage or detachment may cause 
loss of control of horizontal stabilizer and subsequent loss of 
control. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0616; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-CE-018-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may

[[Page 51089]]

amend this AD because of 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 35 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $8,925, or $255 per product.
    The scope of damage found in the inspections could vary from 
airplane to airplane. We have no way of determining how much damage may 
be found on each airplane or the cost to repair or replace damaged 
parts on each airplane or the number of airplanes that may require 
repair or replacements.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to 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 control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is 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.

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

    We determined that 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 the 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 AD:

2014-17-01. Viking Air Limited: Amendment 39-17954; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0616; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-018-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 
16, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Viking Air Limited Models DHC-3 airplanes, 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55: Stabilizers.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as looseness of the 
horizontal stabilizer actuator mounting block in the forward-aft and 
side-to-side directions. We are issuing this AD to prevent breakage 
or detachment of the horizontal stabilizer actuator mounting block, 
which could lead to failure of the horizontal stabilizer with 
subsequent loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (f)(2).
    (1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after September 
16, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 90 days 
after September 16, 2014 (the effective date of the this AD), 
whichever occurs first, inspect the horizontal stabilizer actuator 
(trim jack) for movement or defects following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Viking Service Bulletin No. V3/0005, Revision `A', 
dated May 27, 2014.
    (2) If any movement or defects are found during the inspection 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, you 
must contact Viking Air Limited to obtain FAA-approved repair 
instructions approved specifically for compliance with this AD and 
incorporate those instructions. You can find contact information for 
Viking Air Limited in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD. Use the Service 
Bulletin V3/0005--Operator Reply Form found in Viking Service 
Bulletin No. V3/0005, Revision `A', dated May 27, 2014, to report 
details of the inspection findings.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, 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: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Safety Enginer, FAA, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Steward Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7318; fax: (516) 
794-5531; email: [email protected]. 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

[[Page 51090]]

(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, 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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI, Transport Canada AD No. CF-2014-14, dated June 5, 
2014, and Viking Service Bulletin No. V3/0005, Revision `A', dated 
May 27, 2014, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0616.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Viking Service Bulletin No. V3/0005, Revision `A', dated May 
27, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Viking Air Limited service information identified in 
this AD, contact Viking Air Limited Technical Support, 1959 De 
Havilland Way, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; Fax: 250-
656-0673; telephone: (North America) 1-800-663-8444; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=358.
    (4) You may view this referenced service information 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on August 18, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-19973 Filed 8-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P