[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 218 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63132-63134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30051]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-143-AD; Amendment 39-10879; AD 98-23-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-7 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to all de Havilland Model DHC-7 series airplanes, that
currently requires certain structural inspections, and repair, if
necessary. This amendment requires an additional structural inspection.
This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct
fatigue cracking in certain significant structural areas, which could
reduce the structural integrity of these airplanes.
DATES: Effective December 17, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed
in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register
as of December 17, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of a certain other publication, as
listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of
the Federal Register as of April 21, 1997 (62 FR 12531, March 17,
1997).
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, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, 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: Serge Napoleon, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street,
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7512;
fax (516) 568-2716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 97-06-08,
amendment 39-9965 (62 FR 12531, March 17, 1997), which is applicable to
all de Havilland Model DHC-7 series airplanes, was published in the
Federal Register on September 3, 1998 (63 FR 46925). The action
proposed to continue to require certain structural inspections, and
repair, if necessary. The action also proposed to require an additional
structural inspection.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 50 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be
affected by this AD.
The inspections that are currently required by AD 97-06-08, and
retained in this AD, take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the currently required inspections on
[[Page 63133]]
U.S. operators is estimated to be $45,000, or $900 per airplane, per
inspection cycle.
The new inspection that is required by this AD will take
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the new inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $9,000, or $180 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.
Regulatory Impact
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9965 (62 FR
12531, March 17, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-10879, to read as follows:
98-23-12 De Havilland Inc.: Amendment 39-10879. 98-NM-143-AD.
Supersedes AD 97-06-08, Amendment 39-9965.
Applicability: All Model DHC-7 series airplanes, certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To ensure the continued structural integrity of these airplanes,
accomplish the following:
Restatement of Requirements of AD 97-06-08, Amendment 39-9965:
(a) Within 6 months after April 21, 1997 (the effective date of
AD 97-06-08, amendment 39-9965), incorporate into the FAA-approved
maintenance inspection program the inspections and inspection
intervals defined in DHC-7 Maintenance Manual, Product Support
Manual (PSM) 1-7-2, Chapter 5-60-00, Temporary Revision TR 5-84,
dated June 15, 1994; and inspect the significant structural items
prior to the thresholds specified in TR 5-84 of PSM 1-7-2. Repeat
the inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in TR 5-84 of
PSM 1-7-2.
(b) Prior to further flight, repair any discrepancies detected
during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD in
accordance with one of the following:
(1) The DHC-7 Maintenance Manual; or
(2) The DHC-7 Structural Repair Manual; or
(3) Other data meeting the certification basis of the airplane
approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate; or
(4) Data meeting the certification basis of the airplane
approved by Transport Canada Aviation.
New Requirements of this AD
(c) Incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance inspection
program the inspections and inspection intervals defined in the de
Havilland Inc. DASH 7 Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Section 5-60-
00, Product Support Manual (PSM) 1-7-2, Supplementary Inspection
Program (SIP), Temporary Revision TR 5-99, dated December 22, 1997,
at the applicable time specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of
this AD; and inspect the significant structural items prior to the
thresholds specified in TR 5-99 of PSM 1-7-2. Thereafter, repeat the
inspection at the intervals specified in TR 5-99 of PSM 1-7-2.
(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 38,000 or more total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Incorporate
within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes that have accumulated fewer than 38,000 total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Incorporate prior
to the accumulation of 40,000 total flight cycles.
(d) Incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance inspection
program the inspections and inspection intervals as defined in the
de Havilland Inc. DASH 7 Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Section 5-
60-00, PSM 1-7-2, Supplementary Inspection Program (SIP), Temporary
Revision TR 5-97, dated December 22, 1997, at the applicable time
specified in paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this AD; and inspect the
significant structural items prior to the thresholds specified in TR
5-97 of PSM 1-7-2. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at the
intervals specified in TR 5-99 of PSM 1-7-2.
(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 19,000 or more total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Incorporate
within 1,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes that have accumulated fewer than 19,000 total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Incorporate prior
to the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles.
(e) All inspection results, positive or negative, must be
reported to de Havilland in accordance with ``Introduction,''
paragraph 5, of de Havilland Inc. DASH 7 Maintenance Manual Chapter
5, Section 5-60-00, PSM 1-7-2, Temporary Revision TR 5-84, dated
June 15, 1994. Information collection requirements contained in this
regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number
2120-0056.
(f) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the New York ACO.
(g) 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.
[[Page 63134]]
(h) The inspections shall be done in accordance with DHC-7
Maintenance Manual, Product Support Manual (PSM) 1-7-2, Chapter 5-
60-00, Temporary Revision TR 5-84, dated June 15, 1994; de Havilland
Inc. DASH 7 Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Section 5-60-00, Product
Support Manual (PSM) 1-7-2, Supplementary Inspection Program (SIP),
Temporary Revision TR 5-99, dated December 22, 1997; and de
Havilland Inc. DASH 7 Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Section 5-60-
00, PSM 1-7-2, Supplementary Inspection Program (SIP), Temporary
Revision TR 5-97, dated December 22, 1997.
(1) The incorporation by reference of de Havilland Inc. DASH 7
Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Section 5-60-00, Product Support
Manual (PSM) 1-7-2, Supplementary Inspection Program (SIP),
Temporary Revision TR 5-99, dated December 22, 1997; and de
Havilland Inc. DASH 7 Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Section 5-60-
00, Product Support Manual (PSM) 1-7-2, Supplementary Inspection
Program (SIP), Temporary Revision TR 5-97, dated December 22, 1997;
is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) The incorporation by reference of DHC-7 Maintenance Manual,
Product Support Manual (PSM) 1-7-2, Chapter 5-60-00, Temporary
Revision TR 5-84, dated June 15, 1994, was approved previously by
the Director of the Federal Register as of April 21, 1997 (62 FR
12531, March 17, 1997).
(3) 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, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream,
New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-94-19R1, dated January 26, 1998.
(i) This amendment becomes effective on December 17, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 3, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30051 Filed 11-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
