[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 193 (Tuesday, October 6, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60284-60286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25218]


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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; 
Amendment 39-18285; AD 2015-20-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting 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 AD was prompted by 
reports of cracks that were discovered in the outboard nacelles upper 
longeron channels and angles. This AD requires a one-time detailed 
visual inspection for cracking in the outboard nacelles upper longeron 
channels and angles; and repair if necessary. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 10, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 10, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2015-0684 or in person at the 
Docket 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.
    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 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0684.

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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Viking Air Limited 
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-7-1 
and DHC-7-100 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
April 13, 2015 (80 FR 19572).
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2014-34, dated October 2, 2014, dated (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/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-0684-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 19572, April 13, 
2015) 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 this 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 (80 FR 19572, April 13, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 19572, April 13, 2015).

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. 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 10 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will 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 this 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 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.

[[Page 60285]]

    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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=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 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.

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):

2015-20-06 Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-18285. Docket No. FAA-2015-0684; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-215-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 10, 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

    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/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-
2015-0684-0002.

(k) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Viking Air Limited Service Bulletin V7-54-02, Revision NC, 
dated December 14, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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.
    (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.


[[Page 60286]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 27, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-25218 Filed 10-5-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P