DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-1070; Product Identifier 2018-NM-154-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.; Canadair Limited) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
certain Viking Air Limited Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T Variant) and CL-
215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by
a
report that a supplier fabricated Teflon parts with a charge of 15
percent fiberglass content instead of the specified 5 percent
fiberglass content. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed
visual inspections of the aileron control system cables and flap
interconnect system cables for damage or disconnected cables,
corrective actions if necessary, and replacement of the Teflon parts in
the aileron control systems, aileron/rudder interconnect, and aileron
power unit beam. The replacement of these parts would terminate the
repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 25,
2019.
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 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: 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
Limited, 1959 de Havilland Way, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 5V5,
Canada; telephone +1-250-656-7227; fax +1-250-656-0673; email acs-
technical.publications@vikingair.com; internet http://www.vikingair.com.
You may view this service information at the FAA,
Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-
231-3195.
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-
1070; 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 regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer,
Mechanical Systems and Admin Services Section, FAA, New York ACO
Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone
516-228-7323; fax 516-794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2018-1070;
Product Identifier 2018-NM-154-AD" at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 NPRM.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2018-27, dated October
12, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or "the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Viking Air Limited Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T
Variant) and CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes. The MCAI states:
It was found that a supplier fabricated TeflonTM
parts with a charge of 15% fiberglass content in lieu of the
required 5%. Parts manufactured with this higher percentage of
fiberglass may cause wear and rupture of control cables due to
greater friction if contacted [which could lead to reduced
controllability of the airplane].
This [Canadian] AD mandates a [detailed] visual inspection of
the aileron control system cables and flap interconnect system
cables in the area of the aileron power control unit. The inspection
is required to ensure that there is no cable damage or disconnect
until the replacement of the TeflonTM parts has been
completed in the aileron control system, the aileron/rudder
interconnect and the aileron power unit beam. This [Canadian] AD
also requires replacement of the TeflonTM parts.
Signs of damage include broken wires, unusual wear, or fraying
cables. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2018-1070.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 215-3185, Revision 1, dated
January 28, 2014; and Service Bulletin 215-4476, Revision 1, dated
January 28, 2014. The service information describes procedures for a
detailed visual inspection in the area of the aileron power control
unit for damaged or disconnected aileron control system cables or flap
interconnect system cables, and corrective actions. These documents are
distinct since they apply to different airplane models in different
configurations.
Bombardier has also issued Service Bulletin 215-3186, Revision 3,
dated September 29, 2015; and Service Bulletin 215-4477, Revision 2,
dated September 29, 2015. The service information describes procedures
for replacement of Teflon parts in the aileron control system, the
aileron/rudder interconnect, and the aileron power unit beam. These
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models in
different configurations.
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.
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 our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Proposed Requirements of This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1 airplane of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
66 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $5,610 |
$16,456
|
$22,066
|
$22,066
|
We have received no definitive data
that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed
AD.
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 proposed 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 transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight
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
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
|