94-24870. Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-100 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-24870]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: October 13, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 94-NM-06-AD; Amendment 39-9044; AD 94-21-01]
    
     
    
    Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-100 Series 
    Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
    applicable to certain de Havilland Model DHC-8-100 series airplanes, 
    that requires modification of the potentiometer lever stops on the nose 
    wheel steering. This amendment is prompted by a report that the 
    potentiometer stops installed currently on these airplanes are too 
    short to limit excessive uncontrolled potentiometer movement in the 
    event of a mechanical link failure. The actions specified by this AD 
    are intended to prevent the airplane from departing the runway during 
    takeoff or landing in the event of the failure of the mechanical link 
    between the rudder pedals and the potentiometer.
    
    DATES: Effective November 14, 1994.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of November 14, 1994.
    
    ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
    obtained from Bombardier Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 
    Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information 
    may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
    Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
    Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York 
    Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin Avenue, Valley 
    Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
    Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bradford Chin, Electronics Engineer, 
    Systems and Equipment Branch, ANE-173, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
    Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin 
    Avenue, Room 202, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 791-
    6427; fax (516) 791-9024.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
    directive (AD) that is applicable to certain de Havilland Model DHC-8-
    100 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 7, 
    1994 (59 FR 16574). That action proposed to require modification of the 
    potentiometer lever stops on the nose wheel steering.
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
    the single comment received.
        The commenter supports the rule.
        After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
    noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
    interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
        The FAA estimates that 48 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
    airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
    rate is $55 per work hour. The cost for required parts will be minimal. 
    Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
    operators is estimated to be $7,920, or $165 per airplane.
        The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
    assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
    requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
    those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
        The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
    effects 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. Therefore, in 
    accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
    rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
    preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
    not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
    (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
    Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
    and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
    from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
    ADDRESSES.
    
    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
    
        Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
    reference, Safety.
    
    Adoption of the Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
    the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
    106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    94-21-01  de Havilland, Inc.: Amendment 39-9044. Docket 94-NM-06-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 series airplanes, 
    serial numbers 003 through 334 inclusive, certificated in any 
    category.
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent the airplane from departing the runway during takeoff 
    or landing, accomplish the following:
        (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
    the potentiometer lever stops on the nose wheel steering in 
    accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-32-99, Revision 
    `A,' dated July 26, 1993.
        (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
    used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification 
    Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate. Operators shall 
    submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
    Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
    Manager, New York ACO.
    
        Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the New York ACO.
    
        (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
    sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
    CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
    the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
        (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with de 
    Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-32-99, Revision `A,' dated July 
    26, 1993. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
    Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
    and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier Inc., 
    Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, 
    Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
    Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
    Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New 
    York Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin Avenue, 
    Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
    800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
        (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 14, 1994.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 3, 1994.
    S.R. Miller,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 94-24870 Filed 10-12-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/14/1994
Published:
10/13/1994
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
94-24870
Dates:
Effective November 14, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: October 13, 1994, Docket No. 94-NM-06-AD, Amendment 39-9044, AD 94-21-01
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13