94-20158. Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Model DHC-8 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-20158]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: August 22, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 94-NM-20-AD; Amendment 39-9005; AD 94-17-10]
    
     
    
    Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Model DHC-8 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-8 series airplanes, that 
    requires removal of the aluminum or brass hardware in the firewall 
    terminal block and battery shunt cable assemblies and replacement with 
    steel hardware. This amendment is prompted by the results of an 
    investigation, which revealed that corroded aluminum washers in the DC 
    firewall terminal block and battery shunt cable assemblies may loosen 
    the electrical connections. The actions specified by this AD are 
    intended to prevent interruption of DC electrical power due to 
    connections that may have loosened from corrosion.
    
    DATES: Effective September 21, 1994.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of September 21, 1994.
    
    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 Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York 
    Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin Avenue, Room 202, 
    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: Peter Cuneo, Electrical Engineer, 
    Systems and Equipment Branch, ANE-173, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
    Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin 
    Avenue, Room 202, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 791-
    6427; fax (516) 791-9024.
    
    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-8 
    series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 22, 
    1994 (59 FR 19152). That action proposed to require removal of the 
    aluminum or brass hardware in the firewall terminal block and battery 
    shunt cable assemblies and replacement with steel hardware 
    (Modification 8/1984).
        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. 
    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require 
    the adoption of the rule as proposed.
        The FAA estimates that 130 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
    airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
    rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will be nominal in cost. 
    Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
    operators is estimated to be $21,450, or $165 per airplane.
        The total 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.
        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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
    106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    94-17-10 De Havilland, Inc.: Amendment 39-9005. Docket 94-NM-20-AD.
    
        Applicability: All Model DHC-8 series airplanes, certificated in 
    any category. -
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent interruption of DC electrical power due to 
    connections that may have loosened from corrosion, accomplish the 
    following:
        (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, remove 
    the aluminum or brass hardware in the firewall terminal block and 
    battery shunt cable assemblies and replace with steel hardware 
    (Modification 8/1984), in accordance with de Havilland Service 
    Bulletin S.B. 8-24-47, Revision `A,' dated November 29, 1993.
        (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
    on any airplane a terminal block, part number 72470052-101 or 
    82450068-001, unless it has been previously reworked and bears the 
    identification 8/1984.
        (c) 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: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the New York ACO.
    
        (d) 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.
        (e) The removal and replacement shall be done in accordance with 
    de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-24-47, Revision `A,' dated 
    November 29, 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 M3K 1Y5, Canada. 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, 181 South Franklin Avenue, Room 
    202, Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal 
    Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
        (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 21, 1994.
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 11, 1994.
    
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 94-20158 Filed 8-19-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
9/21/1994
Published:
08/22/1994
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
94-20158
Dates:
Effective September 21, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: August 22, 1994, Docket No. 94-NM-20-AD, Amendment 39-9005, AD 94-17-10
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13