[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 144 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44892-44895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18304]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3073; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-017-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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[[Page 44893]]

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Viking Air Limited Model DHC-3 airplanes. 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 reports of corrugation cracking found at various wing 
stations and on the main spar lower cap. We are issuing this proposed 
AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 11, 
2015.

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 proposed 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/support/service-bulletins. It is 
also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-3073.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-2015-
3073; 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 
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 Safety Engineer, 
FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Steward Avenue, 
suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7329; fax: 
(516) 794-5531; email: [email protected].

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-2015-3073; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-017-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 because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://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, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued AD No. CF-2015-05, dated March 18, 2015 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Viking Air Limited 
Model DHC-3 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An operator found cracks on the upper inner wing skin 
corrugations emanating from the rib attachment points. As a result, 
Viking Air Limited released Service Bulletin (SB) V3/0002, Revision 
NC to inspect for possible corrugation cracking between wing 
stations 34 and 110. Subsequently, operators discovered additional 
corrugation cracking at multiple wing stations and on the main spar 
lower cap.
    These cracks, if not detected and rectified, may compromise the 
structural integrity of the wing. In order to address this 
potentially unsafe condition, Viking Air Limited has issued SB V3/
0002, Revision C, specifying repetitive internal borescope and 
visual inspections. This AD is issued to mandate compliance with 
that SB.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-3073.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Viking DHC-3 Otter Service Bulletin No. V3/0002, 
Revision ``C'', dated April 30, 2014; and Viking DHC-3 Otter Service 
Bulletin 3-STC (03-50)-001, Revision ``NC'', dated April 30, 2014. The 
service information describes procedures for installing additional wing 
inspection access panels and inspecting the wings using borescope and 
visual methods. This service information is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section 
of this NPRM.

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

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 38 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 36 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $5,000 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $306,280, or $8,060 per product.
    The scope of damage found in the required inspection could vary 
significantly from airplane to airplane. We have no way of determining 
how much damage may be found on each airplane or the cost to repair 
damaged parts on each airplane.

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,

[[Page 44894]]

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:

    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:

Viking Air Limited: Docket No. FAA-2015-3073; Directorate Identifier 
2015-CE-017-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 11, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by 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 reports of 
corrugation cracking found at various wing stations and on the main 
spar lower cap. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect cracking 
and correct as necessary to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (f)(5) of this AD:
    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
determine the accumulated air time for each wing by contacting 
Technical Support at Viking Air Limited. You can find contact 
information for Viking Air Limited in paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (2) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
determine all installed supplemental type certificates (STC) or 
modifications affecting the wings. Based on the accumulated air time 
determined from paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and before the initial 
inspection required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, install access 
panels as follows:
    (i) If the airplane is free of STCs or any other modifications 
affecting the wings, install additional inspection access panels 
following the Accomplishment Instructions Part A of Viking DHC-3 
Otter Service Bulletin No. V3/0002, Revision ``C'', dated April 30, 
2014.
    (ii) If the airplane is fitted with STC SA2009NY (which can be 
found on the internet at: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/F7309B7D9B008C588625734F00730144?OpenDocument&Highlight=sa02009ny), 
incorporate additional inspection access panels following the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Viking Air Limited SB 3-STC (03-50)-
001, Revision ``NC'', dated April 30, 2014.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this AD: STC SA03-50 would be 
the Canadian equivalent of the United States STC 2A2009NY.

    (iii) If there are other STCs or modifications affecting the 
wings the operator must contact the FAA to request an FAA-approved 
alternative method of compliance using the procedures in paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD and 14 CFR 39.19. To develop these procedures, we 
recommend you contact the STC holder for guidance in developing 
substantiating data.
    (3) Based on the accumulated air time on the wings determined in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, perform initial and repetitive 
borescope and visual inspections of both the left-hand and right-
hand wing box following Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Viking DHC-3 Otter Service Bulletin V3/0002, Revision ``C'', dated 
April 30, 2014, using the inspection schedules specified in Table 1 
of paragraph (f)(3) of this AD:

       Table 1 of Paragraph (f)(3) of This AD--Inspection Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Repetitive
           Effectivity            Initial inspection      inspection
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If Viking Air Limited SB V3/      The initial         Repetitively
 0002, Revision ``A'', dated       inspection is not   inspect not to
 February 22, 2013; or Viking      required since      exceed every
 Air Limited SB V3/0002,           the inspection      1,600 wing air
 Revision ``B'', dated July 3,     was accomplished    time hours
 2013; were complied with prior    while complying     accumulated after
 to the effective date of this     with Revision       the last
 AD.                               ``A'' or ``B'' of   inspection or
                                   Viking Air          2,100 flight
                                   Limited SB V3/      cycles after the
                                   0002.               last inspection,
                                                       whichever occurs
                                                       first.
If, as of the effective date of   Inspect within 800
 this AD, the airplane has less    wing air time
 than 31,200 wing air time hours.  hours after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD, or
                                   within 6 months
                                   after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD,
                                   whichever occurs
                                   first.
If, as of the effective date of   Inspect upon or
 this AD, the airplane has         before
 31,200 hours wing air time or     accumulating
 more but less than 31,600 hours   32,000 wing air
 wing air time hours.              time hours or
                                   within 6 months
                                   after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD,
                                   whichever occurs
                                   first.

[[Page 44895]]

 
If, as of the effective date of   Inspect within 400
 this AD, the airplane has         wing air time
 31,600 wing air time hours or     hours accumulated
 more.                             after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD or 3
                                   months after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD,
                                   whichever occurs
                                   first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) If the total flight cycles have not been kept, multiply the 
total number of airplane hours time-in-service (TIS) by 2 to 
calculate the cycles. For the purpose of this AD, some examples are 
below:
    (i) .5 hour TIS x 2 = 1 cycle; and
    (ii) 200 hours TIS x 2 = 400 cycles.
    (5) If any cracks are found, contact Technical Support at Viking 
Air Limited for an FAA-approved repair and incorporate the repair 
before further flight. You can find contact information for Viking 
Air Limited in paragraph (i) of this AD. The FAA-approved repair 
must specifically reference this AD.

(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: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Safety Engineer, FAA, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Steward Avenue, suite 
410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7329; 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 
(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-2015-05, dated March 
18, 2015. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2015-3073. For service information related to 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/support/service-bulletins. You may review 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 21, 2015.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-18304 Filed 7-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P