[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10809-10811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05012]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 13, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 10809]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0189; Product Identifier 2017-CE-022-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).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 pitting corrosion on the shank of the wing strut attach 
bolts. 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 April 27, 2018.

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) (800) 
663-8444; 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-2018-
0189; 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 Engineer, FAA, 
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 
11590; telephone: (516) 287-7329; 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-2018-0189; 
Product Identifier 2017-CE-022-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 Number CF-2017-11, dated March 9, 2017 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Viking Air 
Limited Model DHC-3 airplanes and was based on mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information originated by an aviation authority of 
another country. The MCAI states:

    Pitting corrosion has been found on the shank of the following 
part number wing strut attach bolts: C3W114-3, C3W129-3 and C3W128-
3. These bolts are manufactured using a standard AN12 bolt. 
Metallurgical evaluation concluded that pitting corrosion was 
present on the affected AN12 bolts prior to forming of the bolt head 
and threads. The pitting and un-plated voids could cause a surface 
condition that may have a detrimental effect on fatigue and 
corrosion resistance, leading to bolt failure and consequent failure 
of the wing.
    Viking has not been able to confirm the affected batch numbers 
or specific manufacture date range. New wing strut bolts 
manufactured after 21 March 2016 are inspected for pitting during 
manufacturing and issued new P/Ns C3W114-5, C3W129-5 and C3W128-5 
under MOD 3/1010.

    You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0189.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Viking Air Limited has issued DHC-3 Otter Service Bulletin Number 
V3/0006, Revision B, dated March 9, 2017. The service information 
describes procedures for inspection and any necessary corrective action 
for pitting of the wing strut shank bolts. 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

[[Page 10810]]

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 37 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 4 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 $12,580, or $340 per product.
    In addition, Table 1 is an estimate of possible necessary follow-on 
actions as a result of the required inspections. We have no way of 
determining the number of products that may need these actions. We 
estimate that any necessary follow-on replacement parts would cost as 
follows:
    Replacing each affected bolt is on condition and is estimated to 
take about 1 work-hour at $85 for a cost of $85 per bolt.

                                 Table 1--Parts Replacement and Total Bolt Cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Total cost per
                    Part No.                       Quantity  per   Quantity  per  Price per bolt    bolt (labor
                                                       wing          airplane         ($ USD)       and parts)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C3W114-5........................................               2               4            $284            $369
C3W128-5........................................               1               2             275             360
C3W129-5........................................               1               2             164             249
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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-2018-0189; Product Identifier 
2017-CE-022-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 27, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Viking Air Limited Model DHC-3 airplanes with 
wing strut bolts wing strut bolts part numbers (P/N) C3W114-3, 
C3W129-3 and C3W128-3 (Pre MOD 3/1010), 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 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 pitting 
corrosion on the shank of the wing strut attach bolts. We are 
issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct pitting and un-plated 
voids, which could cause a surface condition that may have a 
detrimental effect on fatigue and corrosion resistance, leading to 
bolt failure and subsequent failure of the wing.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 12 months after the effective date of this 
AD, inspect the wing strut attach bolts installed on the airplane 
for pitting on the shank following paragraph A of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Viking DHC-3 Otter Service Bulletin (SB) Number: V3/
0006, Revision B, dated March 9, 2017.
    (2) If pitting is found after the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the bolt 
with either a post MOD 3/1010 wing strut bolt (Part Numbers (P/Ns) 
C3W114-5, C3W129-5 or C3W128-5 as applicable) or a new or

[[Page 10811]]

serviceable pre MOD 3/1010 wing strut bolt that has been inspected 
following paragraph A of Viking DHC-3 Otter SB Number: V3/0006, 
Revision B, dated March 9, 2017.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, pre MOD 3/1010 bolts 
may continue to be used provided these bolts are inspected for 
pitting immediately before installation following paragraph A of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Viking DHC-3 Otter SB Number: V3/
0006, Revision B, dated March 9, 2017, and the accomplishment of the 
inspection must be documented in the airplane maintenance records.

(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD allows credit for the actions required in paragraph 
(f)(1) or (2) of this AD if done before the effective date of this 
AD following SB Viking DHC-3 Otter V3/0006 Revision NC or A.

(h) 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: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 
11590; telephone: (516) 287-7329; 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) 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD Number CF-2017-11, dated March 
9, 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-2018-0189. 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) (800) 663-8444; 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 March 6, 2018.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-05012 Filed 3-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P