[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12407-12408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6330]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-269-AD; Amendment 39-10388; AD 98-06-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
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 a one-time visual inspection to determine the presence of
block seals on the upper portions of the cabin/baggage compartment
bulkheads, and installation of a new or serviceable block seal for any
missing block seal. This amendment is prompted by the issuance of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended
to prevent smoke contamination of the passenger and crew cabins, in the
event of fire or smoke in the baggage compartment, due to a direct
smoke path between the baggage compartment and the cabins.
DATES: Effective April 17, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 17, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division,
Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario, Canada M3K 1Y5. This information
may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; 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: Anthony Gallo, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street,
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7510;
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 certain de Havilland Model DHC-8-
100 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January
5, 1998 (63 FR 172). That action proposed to require a one-time visual
inspection to determine the presence of block seals on the upper
portions of the cabin/baggage compartment bulkheads, and installation
of a new or serviceable block seal for any missing block seal.
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
The FAA estimates that 20 de Havilland Model DHC-8-100 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 $1,200, 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:
98-06-11 De Havilland Inc.: Amendment 39-10388. Docket 97-NM-269-
AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-100 series airplanes; serial numbers
191, and 225 through 307 inclusive; 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
[[Page 12408]]
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) 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 smoke contamination in the passenger and crew cabins,
in the event of fire or smoke in the baggage compartment, due to a
direct smoke path between the baggage compartment and the cabins,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 4 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time visual inspection to determine the presence of block
seals on the upper portions of the right-and left-hand cabin/baggage
compartment bulkheads; and, prior to further flight, for any missing
block seal, install a new or serviceable block seal; in accordance
with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-25-80, Revision `A', dated
July 5, 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 2: 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 actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier
Service Bulletin S.B. 8-25-80, Revision `A', dated July 5, 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,
Canada M3K 1Y5. 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-92-16, dated June 26, 1992.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 17, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 5, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6330 Filed 3-12-98; 8:45 am]
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