[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 14 (Friday, January 21, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3238-3241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00970]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0007; Project Identifier 2018-CE-048-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Viking Air Limited (type certificate previously held by
Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Model 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 corrosion of the
[[Page 3239]]
fuel system components located in the fuel gallery due to inadequate
corrosion protection. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 7,
2022.
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 https://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: Deliver to Mail address above 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; phone: (North America) (800) 663-
8444; fax: (250) 656-0673; email: [email protected];
website: https://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins. You may
view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
(817) 222-5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0007; or in person at
the Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Catanzaro, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7366; fax: (516) 794-5531; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites 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-2022-0007;
Project Identifier 2018-CE-048-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Joseph Catanzaro, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, New York ACO Branch,
1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that
the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be
placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Canadian AD CF-2018-07, dated February 23, 2018 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on certain
serial-numbered Viking Air Limited Model DHC-6-400 airplanes. The MCAI
states:
There have been reports of corrosion affecting components of the
fuel system that are located in the fuel gallery because of
inadequate corrosion protection. This condition affects only
aeroplanes operating on floats.
The effects of corrosion-related damage to fuel system
components have included fuel leaks, electrical arcing, loss of fuel
boost pump function and erroneous fuel quantity readings. Inaccurate
fuel quantity indication and loss of fuel boost pump function can
lead to fuel starvation followed by loss of engine power. Electrical
arcing in the fuel gallery and loss of electrical bonding between
fuel system components increases the risk of fire.
The MCAI requires repetitively inspecting the fuel gallery for
corrosion, rectifying any deficiencies, and accomplishing modifications
to the fuel gallery system. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2022-0007.
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 the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority,
it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on
other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin V6/0044,
Revision `B', dated September 13, 2021. The service information
specifies incorporating multiple design improvement modifications in
the fuel gallery.
The FAA also reviewed Temporary Revision No. 241, dated July 27,
2021, to the Viking DHC-6 Inspection Requirements Manual, PSM 1-6-7.
Items 15.(1) and 15.(2) of this service information specifies rinsing
and inspecting the entire fuel gallery for corrosion; removing
corrosion; reapplying any protective finishes; and removing and
replacing any damaged components. The temporary revision updates the
fuel gallery inspection to include airplanes with a new fuel probe
(Modification (MOD) 6/2395).
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.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed the following technical bulletins related to this
NPRM, which contain instructions for
[[Page 3240]]
the different modifications to components in the fuel gallery:
Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Technical Bulletin TBV6/00034,
Revision NC, dated October 16, 2013 (MOD 6/2267);
Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Technical Bulletin TBV6/00084,
Revision A, dated May 26, 2017 (MOD 6/2299);
Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Technical Bulletin V6/00099,
Revision NC, dated December 23, 2016 (MOD 6/2389);
Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Technical Bulletin. TBV6/00094,
Revision NC, dated November 1, 2016 (MOD 6/2390);
Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Technical Bulletin. V6/00100,
Revision NC, dated February 20, 2017 (MOD 6/2393); and
Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Technical Bulletin V6/00152,
Revision NC, dated January 29, 2021 (MOD 6/2464).
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions described
in the service information previously.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 4 airplanes of U.S. registry. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per airplane operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect fuel gallery.......... 3 work-hours x Not applicable.......... $255 per $1,020 per
$85 per hour = inspection cycle. inspection
$255. cycle.
MOD 6/2267--Fuel boost pump 16 work-hours x $4,762.................. $6,122........... $12,244 (for 2
EMI filter relocation. $85 per hour = affected
$1,360. airplanes).
MOD 6/2299--Improved fuel 17 work-hours x $42,290................. $43,735.......... $131,205 (for 3
boost pump. $85 per hour = affected
$1,445. airplanes)
MOD 6/2389--Electrical Bonding 18 work-hours x $572.................... $2,102........... $8,408 (for 4
Fuel System Manifold Drain $85 per hour = affected
Valve. $1,530. airplanes).
MOD 6/2390--Fuel probe, 20 work-hours x $2,129.................. $3,829........... $11,487 (for 3
improved mating electrical $85 per hour = affected
connection. $1,700. airplanes).
MOD 6/2393--Fuel system 8 work-hours x $225.................... $905............. $3,620 (for 4
manifold--drain valve. $85 per hour = affected
$680. airplanes).
MOD 6/2464--Fuel pressure 10 work-hours x $3,953.................. $4,803........... $14,409 (for 3
switch replacement. $85 per hour = affected
$850. airplanes).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On-Condition Costs
The extent of corrosion damage found during the inspections may
vary significantly from airplane to airplane. The FAA has no way of
determining how much corrosion damage may be found on each airplane,
the cost for repairing corrosion damage on each airplane, or the number
of airplanes that may require repair.
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 airworthiness
directive:
Viking Air Limited (type certificate previously held by Bombardier
Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2022-0007; Project
Identifier 2018-CE-048-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 7, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Viking Air Limited (type certificate
previously held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Model
DHC-6-400 airplanes, serial numbers 845 through 957, certificated in
any category.
[[Page 3241]]
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2800, Aircraft Fuel
System.
(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 corrosion of
fuel system components located in the fuel gallery due to inadequate
corrosion protection. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
corrosion-related damage to fuel system components, which could lead
to fuel leaks, electrical arcing, loss of fuel boost pump function,
and erroneous fuel quantity readings. This unsafe condition, if not
corrected, could result in fuel starvation with loss of engine power
and increased risk of an in-flight fire with consequent loss of
airplane control.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions for Airplanes Operating on Floats on the Effective
Date of This AD
(1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective
date of this AD or within 3 months after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 125 hours TIS, do the following actions:
(i) Remove all fuel gallery covers and rinse the fuel gallery
with water.
(ii) Inspect the fuel gallery for corrosion and, if there is any
corrosion, take all necessary corrective actions before further
flight by following Item D.15(2) of Special Inspection 3 in
Temporary Revision No. 241, dated July 27, 2021, to the Viking DHC-6
Inspection Requirements Manual, PSM 1-6-7.
(2) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
install the modifications applicable to your airplane serial number
by following the Accomplishment Instructions, sections A. through E.
in Viking Air Limited, DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin V6/0044,
Revision `B', dated September 13, 2021 (Viking SB V6/0044, Revision
`B').
(h) Required Actions for Airplanes Modified To Operate on Floats After
the Effective Date of This AD
Within 12 months after the airplane is modified to operate on
floats, regardless of whether the landing gear is later modified
back to non-float landing gear, install the modifications applicable
to your airplane serial number by following the Accomplishment
Instructions, sections A. through E. in Viking SB V6/0044, Revision
`B.'
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) 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. 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
manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
(2) 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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph
Catanzaro, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-
7366; fax: (516) 794-5531; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Viking Air Limited Technical Support, 1959 de Havilland Way, Sidney,
British Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; phone: (North America) (800) 663-
8444; fax: (250) 656-0673; email: [email protected];
website: https://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins. You
may view this referenced service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
Issued on January 13, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00970 Filed 1-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P