[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 25 (Monday, February 7, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6802-6804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02413]



[[Page 6802]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0217; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01486-A]
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).

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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-6-1, 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 identifies the unsafe 
condition as loose quadrants on the rudder pedal torque tube and signs 
of loose rivets or rivet joint wear due to inadequate manufacturing 
tolerances. This proposed AD would require inspecting the rudder pedal 
torque tube quadrant for looseness and taking corrective action as 
necessary. 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 24, 
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 NPRM, contact Viking Air 
Ltd., 1959 de Havilland Way, Sidney British Columbia, Canada V8L 5V5; 
phone: (800) 663-8444; email: [email protected]; 
website: https://www.vikingair.com. 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-2021-0217; or in person at 
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: Deep Gaurav, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1515 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (516) 228-7300; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0217; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01486-A'' 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 Deep 
Gaurav, Aviation Safety Engineer, New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1515 
Stewart Avenue, 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 Transport Canada AD CF-2020-45R1, dated April 16, 2021 (referred 
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for 
Viking Air Limited Model DHC-6 series 1, DHC-6 series 100, DHC-6 series 
110, DHC-6 series 200, DHC-6 series 210, DHC-6 series 300, DHC-6 series 
310, DHC-6 series 320 and DHC-6 series 400 airplanes, serial numbers 
001 through 987. The MCAI states:

    There have been in-service reports of loose quadrants on the 
rudder pedal torque tube and signs of loose rivets or rivet joint 
wear, such as dark areas or streaks around the rivet heads and 
quadrant to torque tube interface. Viking Air Ltd. has determined 
that inadequate manufacturing tolerances may result in this 
condition. This defect, if not detected and corrected, could result 
in the affected parts deteriorating until the rivets fail, leading 
to loss of control of the rudder and possible loss of control of the 
aeroplane.
    To detect and correct this condition, [Transport Canada] AD CF-
2020-45 mandated a one-time detailed inspection of the rudder pedal 
torque tube quadrant assembly, and rectification, as required, of 
the affected parts.
    Viking Air Ltd. had published Service Bulletin (SB) V6/0067, 
Revision NC, dated 16 July 2020, providing Accomplishment 
Instructions for the one-time detailed inspection for looseness of 
the affected parts. Since [Transport Canada] AD CF-2020-45 was 
issued, Viking Air Ltd. has introduced a new rudder pedal torque 
tube assembly in production that is not subject to the unsafe 
condition of this [Transport Canada] AD. As a result, Viking Air 
Ltd. has revised the SB V6/0067 at Revision A, dated 26 January 2021 
(referred to as ``the SB'' in this [Transport Canada] AD) to update 
the aeroplane serial number applicability.
    This [Transport Canada] AD revision, CF-2020-45R1, is issued to 
modify the aeroplane serial number applicability in accordance with 
the SB.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for

[[Page 6803]]

and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0217.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin V6/0067, 
Revision A, dated January 26, 2021. This service information specifies 
procedures for inspecting the rudder pedal torque tube quadrant for 
looseness and performing a detailed visual inspection of the rudder 
torque tube assembly for signs of loose rivets or rivet joint wear. 
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 also reviewed Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin V6/
0067, Revision NC, dated July 16, 2020. This service information 
specifies procedures for inspecting the rudder pedal torque tube 
quadrant for looseness and visually inspecting for signs of loose or 
smoking rivets.

FAA's Determination

    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 and 
service information 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.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information already described, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between This NPRM and the MCAI.''

Differences Between This NPRM and the MCAI

    The MCAI applies to Viking Air Limited Model DHC-6 series 110, DHC-
6 series 210, DHC-6 series 310, and DHC-6 series 320, and this proposed 
AD would not because these models do not have an FAA type certificate. 
Transport Canada Models DHC-6 series 1, DHC-6 series 100, DHC-6 series 
200, DHC-6 series 300, and DHC-6 series 400 airplanes correspond to FAA 
Model DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, DHC-6-300, and DHC-6-400 
airplanes, respectively.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 33 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost             Parts cost          airplane        operators
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Inspection........................  1 work-hour x $85 per  Not Applicable.......             $85          $2,805
                                     hour = $85.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to replace the rudder pedal 
torque tube quadrant assembly based on the results of the proposed 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that might need this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost       airplane
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Rudder pedal torque tube quadrant assembly      10 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $9,256         $10,106
 replacement.                                    $850.
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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:


[[Page 6804]]


    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-2021-0217; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2020-01486-A.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by March 24, 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-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, DHC-6-300, and DHC-6-400 airplanes, 
serial numbers 001 through 987, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2700, Flight Control 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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 identifies the unsafe condition as loose quadrants 
on the rudder pedal torque tube and signs of loose rivets or rivet 
joint wear due to inadequate manufacturing tolerances. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to detect and correct loose rivets or rivet joint 
wear and signs of loose or smoking rivets. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in the rudder pedal torque tube quadrant 
assembly deteriorating until the rivets fail, leading to loss of 
rudder control with consequent loss of airplane control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Action

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the 
rudder pedal torque tube quadrant assembly for looseness and, if 
there is any looseness of the rudder pedal torque tube quadrant 
assembly, a loose rivet, any rivet joint wear, or a smoking rivet, 
before further flight, repair or replace the rudder pedal torque 
tube or quadrant assembly. Do these actions by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, steps A.1. through A.9., in Viking DHC-
6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin No. V6/0067, Revision A, dated January 
26, 2021, except for any requirement to obtain repair instructions 
from Viking Customer Support, the repair must be accomplished using 
a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO Branch, FAA; 
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.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of 
this AD using Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin V6/0067, 
Revision NC, dated July 16, 2020.

(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 
address 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 Deep Gaurav, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1515 Stewart 
Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7300; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2020-45R1, dated April 16, 
2021, for more information. You may examine the Transport Canada AD 
in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0217.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Viking Air Ltd., 1959 de Havilland Way, Sidney British Columbia, 
Canada V8L 5V5; phone: (800) 663-8444; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://www.vikingair.com. You may review 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 28, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02413 Filed 2-4-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P