97-9593. Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-7 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 18304-18306]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-9593]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 97-NM-36-AD]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-7 Series 
    Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
    
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    SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
    directive (AD) that is applicable to all de Havilland Model DHC-7 
    series airplanes. This proposal would require revising the Airplane 
    Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit positioning of the power levers below 
    the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight, and to provide a 
    statement of the consequences of positioning the power levers below the 
    flight idle stop. This proposal is prompted by incidents and accidents
    
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    involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines in which the 
    propeller beta was used improperly during flight. The actions specified 
    by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane 
    controllability, or engine overspeed and consequent loss of engine 
    power caused by the power levers being positioned below the flight idle 
    stop while the airplane is in flight.
    
    DATES: Comments must be received by May 23, 1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
    Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-36-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
    Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
    between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
    holidays.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter LeVoci, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
    Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth 
    Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 
    256-7514; fax (516) 568-2716.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Comments Invited
    
        Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
    proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
    they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
    and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
    communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
    specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
    proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
    light of the comments received.
        Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
    economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
    comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
    date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
    persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
    the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
        Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
    submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
    stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
    to Docket Number 97-NM-36-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
    returned to the commenter.
    
    Availability of NPRMs
    
        Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
    to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
    Docket No. 97-NM-36-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
    98055-4056.
    
    Discussion
    
        In recent years, the FAA has received reports of 14 incidents and/
    or accidents involving intentional or inadvertent operation of the 
    propellers in the beta range during flight on airplanes equipped with 
    turboprop engines. (Beta is the range of propeller operation intended 
    for use during taxi, ground idle, or reverse operations as controlled 
    by the power lever settings aft of the flight idle stop.)
        Five of the fourteen in-flight beta occurrences were classified as 
    accidents. In each of these five cases, operation of the propellers in 
    the beta range occurred while the airplane was in flight. Operation of 
    the propellers in the beta range during flight, if not prevented, could 
    result in loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed with 
    consequent loss of engine power.
        Communication between the FAA and the public during a meeting held 
    on June 11-12, 1996, in Seattle, Washington, revealed a lack of 
    consistency of the information on in-flight beta operation contained in 
    the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for airplanes that are 
    not certificated for in-flight operation with the power levers below 
    the flight idle stop. (Airplanes that are certificated for this type of 
    operation are not affected by the above-referenced conditions.)
    
    FAA's Determinations
    
        The FAA has examined the circumstances and reviewed all available 
    information related to the incidents and accidents described 
    previously. The FAA finds that the Limitations Section of the AFM's for 
    certain airplanes must be revised to prohibit positioning the power 
    levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight, and 
    to provide a statement of the consequences of positioning the power 
    levers below the flight idle stop. The FAA has determined that the 
    affected airplanes include those that are equipped with turboprop 
    engines and that are not certificated for in-flight operation with the 
    power levers below the flight idle stop. Since de Havilland Model DHC-7 
    series airplanes meet these criteria, the FAA finds that the AFM for 
    these airplanes must be revised to include the limitation and statement 
    of consequences described previously.
    
    U.S. Type Certification of the Airplane
    
        This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is type 
    certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
    section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
    the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. The FAA has reviewed 
    all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary 
    for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in 
    the United States.
    
    Explanation of the Requirements of the Proposed AD
    
        Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
    exist or develop in other de Havilland Model DHC-7 series airplanes of 
    the same type design, the proposed AD would require revising the 
    Limitations Section of the AFM to prohibit positioning the power levers 
    below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight, and to 
    provide a statement of the consequences of positioning the power levers 
    below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.
    
    Interim Action
    
        This is considered interim action until final action is identified, 
    at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 45 de Havilland Model DHC-7 series airplanes 
    of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would 
    take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
    actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
    these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
    estimated to be $2,700, or $60 per airplane.
        The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
    no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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
    
    [[Page 18306]]
    
    various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive 
    Order 12612, it is determined that this proposal would not have 
    sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
    Federalism Assessment.
        For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 
    and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
    regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
    Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
    Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
    
    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
    
        Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
    
    The Proposed Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
    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:
    
    De Havilland, Inc.: Docket 97-NM-36-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 
    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 (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 loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed 
    and consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being 
    positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in 
    flight, accomplish the following:
        (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
    the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
    (AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be 
    accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
    
        ``Positioning of power levers below the flight idle stop while 
    the airplane is in flight is prohibited. Such positioning may lead 
    to loss of airplane control or may result in an overspeed condition 
    and consequent loss of engine power.''
    
        (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 Maintenance 
    Operations 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.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 8, 1997.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 97-9593 Filed 4-14-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
04/15/1997
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
97-9593
Dates:
Comments must be received by May 23, 1997.
Pages:
18304-18306 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 97-NM-36-AD
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
97-9593.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13