AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Viking
Air Limited Model DHC-3 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as looseness of the horizontal stabilizer actuator mounting
block in the forward-aft and side-to-side directions. We are issuing
this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 16, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 16,
2014.
We must receive comments on this AD by October 14, 2014.
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 AD, contact Viking Air
Limited Technical Support, 1959 De Havilland Way, Sidney, British
Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; Fax: 250-656-0673; telephone: (North
America) 1-800-663-8444; email: technical.support@vikingair.com;
Internet: http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=358. You may view
this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, 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-2014-
0616; 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 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: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Safety
Engineer, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Steward Avenue,
Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7318; fax: (516)
794-5531; email: cesar.gomez@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued AD No. CF-2014-14, dated June 5, 2014 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Viking Air Limited
Model DHC-3 airplanes. The MCAI states:
A horizontal stabilizer actuator (trim jack) mounting block,
part number C3FS79-5, was found loose in the forward-aft and side-
to-side directions. The trim jack mounting block fastens the
stabilizer actuator (trim jack) which allows the angle of incidence
of the stabilizer to be varied. The stabilizer actuator (trim jack)
also functions as the rear mounting point for the stabilizer.
Failure of the mounting block through breakage or detachment may
cause loss of control of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent
loss of control of the aeroplane. Therefore, this AD mandates a one-
time inspection of the stabilizer actuator (trim jack) mounting
block.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014- 0616.
Relevant Service Information
Viking Air Limited has issued Viking Service Bulletin No. V3/0005,
Revision `A', dated May 27, 2014. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the 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 issuing this AD because we
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same type design.
Interim Action
We consider this AD interim action. After the State of Design
reviews and evaluates the reporting data, we may take further
rulemaking action in the future.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
failure of the mounting block through breakage or detachment may cause
loss of control of horizontal stabilizer and subsequent loss of
control. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0616; Directorate
Identifier 2014-CE-018-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 35 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would 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 the AD on U.S.
operators to be $8,925, or $255 per product.
The scope of damage found in the inspections could vary from
airplane to airplane. We have no way of determining how much damage may
be found on each airplane or the cost to repair or replace damaged
parts on each airplane or the number of airplanes that may require
repair or replacements.
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 AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this 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 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.
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.
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
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
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