[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 251 (Monday, December 30, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68565-68566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31525]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-265-AD; Amendment 39-9851; AD 96-25-08]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all de Havilland Model DHC-7 series airplanes, that
requires performing a review of the airplane maintenance records to
determine if any insulation blankets have been repaired or changed
during service, and various follow-on actions, if necessary. This
amendment is prompted by reports of corrosion forming on areas of the
airplane structure where black film thermal insulation blankets are
used. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such
corrosion, which could result in degradation of the structural
capability of the airplane fuselage and consequent sudden loss of cabin
pressure.
DATES: Effective February 3, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 3, 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, New York Aircraft Certification Office,
Engine and Propeller Directorate, 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: Sol Maroof, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth
Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516)
256-7522; fax (516) 568-2716.
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 all de Havilland Model DHC-7
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 30,
1996 (61 FR 51062). That action proposed to require performing a review
of the airplane maintenance records to determine if any insulation
blankets have been repaired or changed during service, and various
follow-on actions, if necessary.
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
The FAA estimates that 50 de Havilland Model DHC-7 series airplanes
of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $3,000, or $60 per airplane.
The 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.
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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-25-08 De Havilland, Inc.: Amendment 39-9851. Docket 95-NM-265-
AD.
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
otherwise 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 (e) 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 prevent degradation of the structural capability of the
fuselage and sudden loss of cabin pressure, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within six months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a review of the airplane maintenance records to determine if
any insulation blankets have been repaired or changed during
service, in accordance with
[[Page 68566]]
de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 7-21-30, dated July 6, 1994.
(b) If no insulation blanket has been repaired or changed, no
further action is required by this AD.
(c) If any insulation blanket has been repaired or changed,
prior to further flight, perform a visual inspection to detect black
film insulation of the air conditioning system, in accordance with
de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 7-21-30, dated July 6, 1994.
(1) If no black film insulation is detected, prior to further
flight, perform a review of the airplane modification records to
determine if any kit listed in ``Table 1--Modification List'' has
been installed, in accordance with the service bulletin.
(i) If no kit listed in ``Table 1-Modification List'' is found
to be installed, no further action is required by this AD.
(ii) If any kit listed in ``Table 1-Modification List'' is found
to be installed, prior to further flight, perform the various
follow-on actions in accordance with the service bulletin. (The
follow-on actions include an inspection to detect black film
insulation, removal of any black film insulation, an inspection to
detect corrosion, repair of corroded structure, and installation of
new silver blankets.) However, in lieu of repairing corroded
structure in accordance with service bulletin, the repair of any
corrosion shall be done in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Engine
and Propeller Directorate.
(2) If any black film insulation is detected, prior to further
flight, perform the follow-on actions in accordance with the service
bulletin. (The follow-on actions include removal of any black film
insulation, an inspection to detect corrosion, repair of any
corroded structure, and installation of new silver blankets.)
However, in lieu of repairing corroded structure in accordance with
service bulletin, the repair of any corrosion shall be done in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO.
(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
black Orcon film insulation, part number AN46B/AN36B, on any
airplane.
(e) 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 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.
(f) 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.
(g) The actions shall be done in accordance with de Havilland
Service Bulletin S.B. 7-21-30, dated July 6, 1994. 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, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and
Propeller Directorate, 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.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on February 3, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 1996.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-31525 Filed 12-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
