Document ID: FAA-2017-1038-0004
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Viking Air Limited Airplanes
Posted Date: 2018-02-20T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7107-7109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03329]

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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 20, 2018 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 7107]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1038; Product Identifier 2017-CE-024-AD; Amendment 
39-19197; AD 2018-04-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Viking 
Air Limited Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, DHC-6-300, and DHC-6-
400 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country 
to identify and address an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The 
MCAI describes the unsafe condition as aileron cable wear; fouling at 
the wing root rib, fuselage skin, and wing root rib fairlead; and/or 
fraying of the cable from the root rib fairlead. We are issuing this AD 
to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 27, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 27, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1038; or in person at Docket Operations, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Viking Air 
Limited Technical Support, 1959 De Havilland Way, Sidney, British 
Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; telephone: (North America) (866) 492-8527; 
fax: (250) 656-0673; email: [email protected]; internet: 
http://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins. You may view 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. It 
is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for Docket No. FAA-2017-1038.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Delisio, Program Manager, 
Continued Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7300; fax: (516) 
794-5531; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Viking Air Limited Models 
DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, DHC-6-300, and DHC-6-400 airplanes. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 6, 2017 (82 FR 
51367). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country.
    The MCAI states:

    There have been reports of accelerated aileron cable wear 
because of contact with the fuselage skin cut-out or the wing root 
rib. Wear that is not detected can lead to failure of the aileron 
cable and loss of control of the aeroplane.
    The root cause of this problem has not yet been identified. This 
[Transport Canada] AD requires inspection of the aeroplane and 
reporting of the inspection results to Viking Air Ltd. This 
[Transport Canada] AD is considered an interim action and further AD 
action may follow.
    Aileron cables are typically replaced at intervals of 60 months 
in accordance with the DHC-6 maintenance schedule.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-1038-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request a Change to the Corrective Actions

    Mathew Carlson stated the proposed actions are not necessary. 
Although the root cause has not yet been determined, the cause appears 
obvious and the appropriate actions to take are obvious as well. The 
commenter stated they believe the corrective actions proposed are 
unnecessary, and the root cause is an alignment issue between pulleys 
and the fuselage cutout. The commenter believes the corrective action 
should be to trim the fuselage cutout for better clearance and to not 
require the repetitive inspections.
    We do not agree with the commenter. While it is possible the 
commenter's root cause/solution is correct, we disagree that the cable 
inspection and/or replacement has no benefit. Until enough information 
is gathered and analyzed to accurately determine the root cause of the 
issue, the repetitive inspection (and replacement if necessary) is the 
action necessary to address the unsafe condition and provide a safe 
method to continue airplane operation.
    We have not changed this AD based on this comment.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined 
that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Viking Air Limited issued DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin Number: 
V6/0022, Revision B, dated June 13, 2014. The service information 
describes

[[Page 7108]]

procedures for initial and repetitive inspections of the aileron cable 
for aileron cable wear; fouling at the wing root rib, fuselage skin, 
and wing root rib fairlead; and/or fraying of the cable from the root 
rib fairlead; and replacement of the aileron cables as necessary. 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 the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 141 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 20 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $239,700, or $1,700 per product.
    In addition, the following is an estimate of possible necessary 
follow-on replacement actions. We have no way of determining the number 
of products that may need these actions.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Labor cost                       Cost per
                     Action                        Work-hours *     ($85/hour)      Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace 1 cable.................................               6            $510            $244            $754
Replace 2 cables (on the same wing).............               8             680             458           1,138
Replace 2 cables (one on each wing).............              12           1,020             488           1,508
Replace all 4 cables (2 per wing)...............              16           1,360             916           2,336
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Work-hours includes access, testing, and close-up.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this proposed AD 
is 2120-0056. The paperwork cost associated with this proposed AD has 
been detailed in the Costs of Compliance section of this document and 
includes time for reviewing instructions, as well as completing and 
reviewing the collection of information. Therefore, all reporting 
associated with this proposed AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the 
accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should 
be directed to the FAA at 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 
20591. ATTN: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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, Part 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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:
    (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.

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-2017-
1038; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

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

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2018-04-02 Viking Air Limited: Amendment 39-19197; Docket No. FAA-
2017-1038; Product Identifier 2017-CE-024-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 27, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Viking Air Limited Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, 
DHC-6-200,

[[Page 7109]]

DHC-6-300, and DHC-6-400 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated 
in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and address an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as aileron cable 
wear; fouling at the wing root rib, fuselage skin, and wing root rib 
fairlead; and/or fraying of the cable from the root rib fairlead. We 
are issuing this AD to identify and address wear on the aileron 
cable fuselage skin cut-out and on the wing root rib fairlead, and 
any fraying of the cable from the root rib fairlead, which could 
lead to failure of the aileron cable and loss of control.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (5) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after March 
27, 2018 (the effective date of this AD) or before the aileron 
cables have accumulated 300 hours TIS, whichever occurs later, 
inspect the aileron cables following the Accomplishment Instructions 
in Viking Air Limited Service Bulletin V6/0022, Revision B, dated 
June 13, 2014 (SB V6/0022, Revision B). Inspect repetitively 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS, but not to 
exceed five inspections (the initial and four repetitives).
    (2) If any discrepancies are found during any of the inspections 
required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, 
replace the aileron cable(s) following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in SB V6/0022, Revision B.
    (3) Upon completion of the initial and four repetitive 
inspections detailed in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, resume the 
inspections specified in the maintenance program.
    (4) Within 30 days after completion of each inspection detailed 
in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, report the results of each 
inspection to Viking Air Limited in accordance with the reporting 
instructions in SB V6/0022, Revision B.
    (5) Installation of new aileron cables or re-installation of 
existing cables that have been removed for any reason re-starts the 
inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York ACO 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: James Delisio, Program Manager, Continued 
Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7300; fax: (516) 794-
5531; email: [email protected]. 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 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 Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, 
the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD Number CF-2017-20, dated June 
7, 2017, for related information. The MCAI can be found in the AD 
docket on the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-1038-0002.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Viking Air Limited Service Bulletin V6/0022, Revision B, 
dated June 13, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Viking Air Limited service information identified in 
this AD, contact Viking Air Limited Technical Support, 1959 De 
Havilland Way, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; telephone: 
(North America) (866) 492-8527; fax: (250) 656-0673; email: 
[email protected]; internet: http://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins.
    (4) You may view this 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. In addition, you can access this service 
information on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1038.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 12, 2018.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-03329 Filed 2-16-18; 8:45 am]
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