[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19572-19574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08074]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0684; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-215-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) 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 all 
Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, 
Inc.) Model DHC-7-1 and DHC-7-100 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports of cracks that were discovered in the outboard 
nacelles upper longeron channels and angles. This proposed AD would 
require a one-time detailed visual inspection for cracking in the 
outboard nacelles upper longeron channels and angles; and repair if 
necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the 
outboard nacelles upper longeron channels and angles, which could lead 
to the loss of stiffness in the forward engine mount; and possible 
catastrophic failure.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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, 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; email 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.vikingair.com. You may view this

[[Page 19573]]

referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

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-2015-
0684; 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 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: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228 7329; 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-2015-0684; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-215-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-
2014-34, dated October 2, 2014 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-7-1 and DHC-7-100 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Longitudinal cracks were discovered in the outboard nacelles 
upper longeron channels and angles at station XN1 78. The cracks 
were partially hidden by bearing blocks, Part Number (P/N) 75420978, 
at the nacelle latch locations. Undetected, these cracks may lead to 
the loss of stiffness in the forward engine mount; which may lead to 
a catastrophic failure.

    Required actions include a one-time detailed visual inspection for 
cracking of the outboard nacelles upper longeron channels and angles. 
Corrective actions include repair, if necessary. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0684.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Viking Air Limited has issued Service Bulletin V7-54-02, Revision 
NC, dated December 14, 2012. The service information describes 
procedures for an inspection for cracks in the outboard nacelles upper 
longeron channels and angles; and repair if necessary. The actions 
described in this service information are intended to correct the 
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. This service information is 
reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access this service 
information.

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 these 
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 10 airplanes 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 proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $2,550, or $255 
per product.
    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD.

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 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);
    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.

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:


[[Page 19574]]


    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):

Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, 
Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2015-0684; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-215-
AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 28, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate 
previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-7-1 and DHC-7-100 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54, Nacelles/
Pylons.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks that were discovered 
in the outboard nacelles upper longeron channels and angles. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the outboard 
nacelles upper longeron channels and angles, which could lead to the 
loss of stiffness in the forward engine mount; and possible 
catastrophic failure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Repair

    Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a one-
time detailed visual inspection for cracking in the outboard 
nacelles upper longeron channels and angles, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Viking Air Limited Service Bulletin 
V7-54-02, Revision NC, dated December 14, 2012. If any cracking is 
found during the inspection required by this paragraph: Before 
further flight, repair using a method approved by the Manager, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, FAA; or Transport 
Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or Viking Air Limited's (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) TCCA Design 
Approval Organization (DAO).

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 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 ACO, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing 
Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO, 
ANE-170, FAA; or TCCA; or Viking Air Limited's (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) TCCA DAO. If approved by the 
DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(i) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are not allowed.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2014-34, dated October 2, 
2014, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0684.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Viking Air Limited, 9574 Hampden Road, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 
8V5, Canada; telephone 250-656-7227; fax 250-656-0673; email 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.vikingair.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 27, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08074 Filed 4-10-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P