[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25598-25600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12728]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-158-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 certain structural
inspections, and repair, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by a
structural re-evaluation, which identified certain significant
structural items to inspect for fatigue cracking as these airplanes
approach and exceed the manufacturer's original design life. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent fatigue
cracking in these areas which, if not detected and corrected in a
timely manner, could reduce the structural integrity of these
airplanes.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 1, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-158-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.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from de Havilland, Inc., Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario
M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sol Maroof, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA,
[[Page 25599]]
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:
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 95-NM-158-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. 95-NM-158-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
Transport Canada Aviation, which is the airworthiness authority for
Canada, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
all de Havilland Model DHC-7 series airplanes. Service experience shows
that transport category aircraft of this type require certain
supplemental structural inspections and maintenance to compensate for
the effects of prolonged time-in-service. As a result, the manufacturer
has conducted a structural reassessment of these airplanes and has
identified additional significant structural items where fatigue damage
is likely to occur. The criteria for this reassessment are contained in
FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 91-60, ``Continued Airworthiness of Older
Airplanes.''
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
De Havilland has issued Temporary Revision (TR 5-84), dated June
15, 1994, of the DHC-7 Maintenance Manual (PSM 1-7-2), Chapter 5-60-00.
TR 5-84 was developed based on service experience with the purpose of
extending the Model DHC-7 series airplanes' life beyond 40,000 total
flights cycles. It describes procedures for repetitive detailed visual
inspections to detect cracks, loose or broken fasteners, and
deformations of the vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, and
lower skin panels of the wing. That document also indicates that
operators should submit the results of these inspections to the
manufacturer. Transport Canada Aviation classified this document as
mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-94-19, dated
October 6, 1994, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in Canada.
FAA's Conclusions
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. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada Aviation has kept
the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined
the findings of Transport Canada Aviation, 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 Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, the
proposed AD would require that operators incorporate, into their FAA-
approved maintenance inspection program, the inspections specified in
DHC-7 Maintenance Manual (PSM 1-7-2), Chapter 5-60-00, Temporary
Revision (TR 5-84), dated June 15, 1994. The actions would be required
to be accomplished in accordance with the document described
previously.
Additionally, the proposed AD would require the repair of any
findings of cracks, loose or broken fasteners, or deformations in
accordance with either:
1. The DHC-7 Maintenance Manual; or
2. The DHC-7 Structural Repair Manual;
3. Other data meeting the certification basis of the airplane which
is approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office,
FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate; or
-4. Data meeting the certification basis of the airplane which is
approved by Transport Canada Aviation.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 50 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 15 work
hours 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
$45,000, or $900 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
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 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.
[[Page 25600]]
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 USC 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 95-NM-158-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
other 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 (d) 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 continuing structural integrity of these
airplanes, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD,
incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program the
inspections and inspection intervals defined in DHC-7 Maintenance
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
which is 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 which
is approved by Transport Canada Aviation.
(c) All inspection results, positive or negative, must be
reported to de Havilland in accordance with ``Introduction,''
paragraph 5, of DHC-7 Maintenance Manual (PSM 1-7-2), Chapter 5-60-
00, 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.
(d) 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 Manager, New York ACO.
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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 May 15, 1996.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12728 Filed 5-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
