[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 213 (Monday, November 6, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51367-51369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23808]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1038; Product Identifier 2017-CE-024-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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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Viking Air Limited Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, DHC-6-300, and 
DHC-6-400 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 aileron 
cable wear or fouling at the wing root rib, fuselage skin, and wing 
root rib fairlead, or fraying of the cable from the root rib fairlead. 
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 December 21, 
2017.

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; telephone: (North America) (866) 
492-8527; fax: (250) 656-0673; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins. You may 
review this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 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-2017-
1038; 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: Erin Hulverson, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Boston ACO Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone: (781) 238-7655; fax: (781) 238-7199; 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-2017-1038; 
Product Identifier 2017-CE-024-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite

[[Page 51368]]

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 Number CF-2017-20, dated June 7, 2017 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Viking Air Limited 
Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, DHC-6-300, and DHC-6-400 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    There have been reports of accelerated aileron cable wear 
because of contact with the fuselage skin cut-out or the wing root 
rib. Wear that is not detected can lead to failure of the aileron 
cable and loss of control of the aeroplane.
    The root cause of this problem has not yet been identified. This 
[Transport Canada] AD requires inspection of the aeroplane and 
reporting of the inspection results to Viking Air Ltd. This 
[Transport Canada] AD is considered an interim action and further AD 
action may follow.
    Aileron cables are typically replaced at intervals of 60 months 
in accordance with the DHC-6 maintenance schedule.

    You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1038.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Viking Air Limited has issued DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin 
Number: V6/0022, Revision B, dated June 13, 2014. The service 
information describes procedures for initial and repetitive inspections 
of the aileron cable for aileron cable wear or fouling at the wing root 
rib, fuselage skin, and wing root rib fairlead, or fraying of the cable 
from the root rib fairlead, and replacement of the aileron cables as 
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 
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 141 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 20 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 the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $239,700, or $1,700 per product.
    In addition, the following is an estimate of possible necessary 
follow-on replacement actions. We have no way of determining the number 
of products that may need these actions.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Labor cost                       Cost per
                     Action                        Work-hours *     (@$85/hour)     Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace 1 cable.................................               6            $510            $244            $754
Replace 2 cables (on the same wing).............               8             680             458           1,138
Replace 2 cables (one on each wing).............              12           1,020             488           1,508
Replace all 4 cables (2 per wing)...............              16           1,360             916           2,336
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* Work-hours includes access, testing, and close-up.

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 proposed AD 
is 2120-0056. The paperwork cost associated with this proposed 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 proposed 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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes and domestic 
business jet transport airplanes to the Director of the Policy and 
Innovation Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a

[[Page 51369]]

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-2017-1038; Product Identifier 
2017-CE-024-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 21, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Viking Air Limited Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, 
DHC-6-200, DHC-6-300, and DHC-6-400 airplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(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 aileron cable 
wear or fouling at the wing root rib, fuselage skin, and wing root 
rib fairlead, or fraying of the cable from the root rib fairlead. We 
are issuing this AD to identify and correct wear on the aileron 
cable fuselage skin cut-out and on the wing root rib fairlead, and 
any fraying of the cable from the root rib fairlead, which could 
lead to failure of the aileron cable and loss of control.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (5) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD or before the aileron cables have 
accumulated 300 hours TIS, whichever occurs later, inspect the 
aileron cables following the Accomplishment Instructions in Viking 
Air Limited Service Bulletin V6/0022, Revision B, dated June 13, 
2014 (SB V6/0022, Revision B). Inspect repetitively thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS, but not to exceed five 
inspections (the initial and four repetitives).
    (2) If any discrepancies are found during any of the inspections 
required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, 
replace the aileron cable(s) following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in SB V6/0022, Revision B.
    (3) Upon completion of the initial and four repetitive 
inspections detailed in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, resume the 
inspections specified in the maintenance program.
    (4) Within 30 days after completion of each inspection detailed 
in paragraphs (f)(1) of this AD, report the results of each 
inspection to Viking Air Limited in accordance with the reporting 
instructions in SB V6/0022, Revision B.
    (5) Installation of new aileron cables or re-installation of 
existing cables that have been removed for any reason re-starts the 
inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York ACO Branch, 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: Erin Hulverson, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Boston 
ACO Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone: 
(781) 238-7655; fax: (781) 238-7199; 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) 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 
Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Viking Air Limited's Transport 
Canada Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, 
the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (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 Number CF-2017-20, dated June 
7, 2017, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1038. For service information related to this 
AD, contact Viking Air Limited Technical Support, 1959 De Havilland 
Way, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; telephone: (North 
America) (866) 492-8527; fax: (250) 656-0673; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins. You may review this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 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 October 20, 2017.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-23808 Filed 11-3-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P