2019-01635. Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Airplanes  

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    AGENCY:

    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

    ACTION:

    Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

    SUMMARY:

    We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Viking Air Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I and DHC-2 Mk. III airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cracks reported on the forward and aft float strut wire pull fittings. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

    DATES:

    We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 28, 2019.

    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,Start Printed Page 3132M-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 proposed AD, contact Viking Air Limited Technical Support, 1959 De Havilland Way, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; telephone: (North America) (800) 663-8444; fax: (250) 656-0673; email: technical.support@vikingair.com; internet: http://www.vikingair.com/​support/​service-bulletins. You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 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-2019-0045; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 287-7329; fax: (516) 794-5531; email: aziz.ahmed@faa.gov.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2019-0045; Product Identifier 2018-CE-027-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments.

    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

    Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued AD Number CF-2018-10, dated April 18, 2018 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Viking Air Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I and DHC-2 Mk. III airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Cracks have been reported on the Forward and Aft float strut wire pull fittings on DHC-2 Mk. I aeroplanes equipped with the 5600 lb gross weight increase kit installed in accordance with STC SA92-63 or SA00299NY and on DHC-2 Mk. III aeroplanes equipped with the 6000 lb gross weight increase kit installed in accordance with STC SA91-18 or SA945NE. An investigation found that the forward and aft wire pull fittings (P/N VALTBS1245-1/-2 and P/N VALTBS1244-1, respectively) are prone to stress corrosion cracking at low cycles/hours.

    Failure of these wire pull fittings will reduce the strength of the float undercarriage below the required structural capability and could result in a failure of the undercarriage causing the aeroplane to tip over and be submerged.

    Therefore this AD requires that the forward and aft wire pull fittings be replaced with P/N VALTBS1245-3/-4 and P/N VALTBS1244-3/-4 (LH/RH) fittings respectively. These fittings are geometrically similar to the legacy fittings and are made of a different aluminum alloy that is less susceptible to stress corrosion cracking.

    In addition to replacing the fittings, it is necessary to implement a recurring visual inspection of the fittings to assure continuing airworthiness.

    You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0045.

    Record of Ex Parte Communication

    In preparation of AD actions such as notices of proposed rulemaking and immediately adopted final rules, it is the practice of the FAA to obtain technical information and information on the operational and economic impact from design approval holders and aircraft operators. We discussed certain aspects of this AD by email with Viking. A copy of these email contacts can be found in the rulemaking docket. For information on locating the docket, see “Examining the AD Docket.”

    Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Viking has issued Service Bulletin (SB) Number V2/003, Revision NC, dated November 28, 2012, for Model DCH-2 Mk. I airplanes, and SB Number V2/002, Revision A, dated September 12, 2011, for Model DCH-2 Mk. III airplanes. For the applicable airplanes, the service information describes procedures for replacing the forward and aft float strut wire pull fittings and specifies implementing repetitive visual inspections of the fittings. 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 of this NPRM.

    FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed 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 proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

    The MCAI requires returning cracked fittings to Viking, and this proposed AD would not. The MCAI also prohibits installation of an affected wire pull fitting on any airplane, and this proposed AD would not.

    Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 136 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate replacing the fittings would take about 12 work-hours at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour, and required parts would cost about $2,741. Based on these figures, we estimate a cost of $3,761 per airplane and $511,496 for the U.S. operator fleet.

    Inspecting the fittings would take about .5 work-hour for an estimated cost of $42.50 per airplane and $5,780 for the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle.

    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, Start Printed Page 3133Part 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 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 small airplanes, gliders, balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation 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.

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    • Air transportation
    • Aircraft
    • Aviation safety
    • Incorporation by reference
    • Safety
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    The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

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    PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

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    [Amended]
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    2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

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    Viking Air Limited: Docket No. FAA-2019-0045; Product Identifier 2018-CE-027-AD.

    (a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 28, 2019.

    (b) Affected ADs

    None.

    (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to following Viking Air Limited airplanes, certificated in any category:

    (1) Model DHC-2 Mk. I airplanes altered by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA92-63 or SA00299NY with a float strut wire pull fitting part number (P/N) VALTBS1245-1,P/N VALTBS1245-2, or P/N VALTBS1244-1; and

    (2) Model DHC-2 Mk. III airplanes altered by STC SA91-18 or SA945NE with a float strut wire pull fitting P/N VALTBS1245-1,P/N VALTBS1245-2, or P/N VALTBS1244-1.

    (d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: Fuselage.

    (e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cracks reported on the forward and aft float strut wire pull fittings. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the wire pull fittings that could reduce the strength of the float undercarriage below the required structural capability, resulting in a failure of the undercarriage causing the airplane to tip over and submerge.

    (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.

    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD:

    (i) Replace each forward wire pull fitting P/N VALTBS1245-1 and P/N VALTBS1245-2 with P/N VALTBS1245-3 Left Hand (LH) or P/N VALTBS1245-4 Right Hand (RH) by following the Accomplishment Instructions, section A, steps 1 through 8, of Viking Service Bulletin No. V2/003, Revision NC, dated November 28, 2012 (SB No. V2/003), or Viking Service Bulletin No. V2/002, Revision A, dated September 12, 2011 (SB No. V2/002), as applicable to your model airplane.

    (ii) Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the replacement of the forward wire pull fittings and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, visually inspect each forward wire pull fitting for corrosion and cracks. If any corrosion or cracking is found during any of the required inspections, before further flight, replace the fitting with fitting P/N VALTBS1245-3 (LH) or P/N VALTBS1245-4 (RH).

    (2) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD:

    (i) Replace each aft wire pull fitting P/N VALTBS1244-1 with P/N VALTBS1244-3 (LH) or P/N VALTBS1244-4 (RH) by following the Accomplishment Instructions, section B, steps 1 through 8, of SB No. V2/003 or SB No. V2/002, as applicable to your model airplane.

    (ii) Within 110 hours TIS after the replacement of the aft wire pull fittings and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, visually inspect each aft wire pull fitting for corrosion and cracks. If any corrosion or cracking is found during any of the required inspections, before further flight, replace the fitting with fitting P/N VALTBS1244-3 (LH) or P/N VALTBS1244-4 (RH).

    (g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:

    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 287-7329; fax: (516) 794-5531; email:. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must instead be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Viking Air Limited's Transport Canada Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

    (h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD Number CF-2018-10, dated April 18, 2018, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0045. For service information related to this AD, contact Viking Air Limited Technical Support, 1959 De Havilland Way, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; telephone: (North America) (800) 663-8444; fax: (250) 656-0673; email: technical.support@vikingair.com; internet: http://www.vikingair.com/​support/​service-bulletins. You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

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    Start Printed Page 3134

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 31, 2019.

    Melvin J. Johnson,

    Aircraft Certification Service, Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation Division, AIR-601.

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    [FR Doc. 2019-01635 Filed 2-8-19; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Document Information

Published:
02/11/2019
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
2019-01635
Dates:
We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 28, 2019.
Pages:
3131-3134 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FAA-2019-0045, Product Identifier 2018-CE-027-AD
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
Topics:
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety
PDF File:
2019-01635.Pdf
Supporting Documents:
» Supporting AD Documents
» MCAI (foreign AD)
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13