Document ID: FAA-2015-0096-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Viking Air Limited Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-01-29T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4772-4774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00990]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0096; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-040-AD; 
Amendment 39-18077; AD 2015-02-10]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Viking 
Air Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I, DHC-2 Mk. II, and DHC-2 Mk. III 
airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country 
to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The 
MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failed locknuts on the 
horizontal stabilizer attach bracket. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 18, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of February 18, 
2015.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Viking Air 
Limited Technical Support, 1959 De Havilland Way, Sidney, British 
Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; Fax: 250-656-0673; telephone: (North 
America) 1-800-663-8444; email: technical.support@vikingair.com; 
Internet: http://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins. You may 
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

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-2015-
0096; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
(800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Safety Engineer, 
FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Steward Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7329; fax: 
(516) 794-5531; email: aziz.ahmed@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued AD No. CF-2014-38, dated October 20, 2014 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Viking Air 
Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I, DHC-2 Mk. II, and DHC-2 Mk. III airplanes. 
The MCAI states:

    There has been an in-service report of failed MS21042 locknuts 
on the horizontal stabilizer attach bracket of a DHC-2 Mk. I 
aeroplane. Laboratory examinations of these nuts found intergranular 
fractures typical of hydrogen embrittlement possibly due to the 
introduction of hydrogen during the manufacturing process.
    Failure of these nuts could result in detachment of the 
horizontal stabilizer and loss of control of the aeroplane.
    This AD mandates the inspection and replacement, of the 
horizontal stabilizer attach bracket MS21042 locknuts.

    You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0096.

Relevant Service Information

    Viking Air Limited has issued Viking Alert Service Bulletin No. V2/
0007, Revision `NC', dated April 29, 2013. The actions described in 
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI. The service bulletin describes procedures to 
inspect and replace the horizontal stabilizer attach bracket locknuts. 
You can find this service information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0096.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
failure of any locknut on the horizontal stabilizer attach bracket 
could result in detachment of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent 
loss of control. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity 
for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that 
good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 
days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0096; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-CE-040-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may

[[Page 4773]]

amend this AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 35 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour 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 the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $2,975, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 12 work-hours and require parts costing $2 per locknut, or 
$12 for a maximum of 6 locknuts, for a cost of $1,032 per product. We 
have no way of determining the number of products that may need these 
actions.

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.

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 that 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.

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:

2015-10-02 Viking Air Limited: Amendment 39-18077; Docket No. FAA-
2015-0096; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-040-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 18, 
2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Viking Air Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I, DHC-2 
Mk. II, and DHC-2 Mk. III 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) issued by the aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failed locknuts 
on the horizontal stabilizer attach bracket. We are issuing this AD 
to detect and replace suspect horizontal stabilizer attach bracket 
locknuts, which could result in detachment of the horizontal 
stabilizer and consequent loss of control.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (f)(2).
    (1) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service after February 18, 
2015 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the six locknuts of 
the horizontal stabilizer attach brackets to determine their type 
following the Accomplishment Instructions in Viking Alert Service 
Bulletin No. V2/0007, Revision `NC', dated April 29, 2013.
    (2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD any of the installed locknuts is of the part number (P/N) 
MS21042 type, before further flight, remove the locknut and replace 
with a new P/N MS21044 type locknut following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Viking Alert Service Bulletin No. V2/0007, Revision 
`NC', dated April 29, 2013.
    (3) After February 18, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), do 
not install P/N MS21042 type locknuts on the horizontal stabilizer 
attach bracket.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, 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: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Safety Engineer, FAA, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Steward Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7329; fax: (516) 
794-5531; email: aziz.ahmed@faa.gov. 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) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (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 No. CF-2014-38, dated October 
20, 2014, for

[[Page 4774]]

related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-0096.

(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 Alert Service Bulletin No. V2/0007, Revision `NC', 
dated April 29, 2013.
    (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; Fax: 250-
656-0673; telephone: (North America) 1-800-663-8444; email: 
technical.support@vikingair.com; Internet: http://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (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 January 14, 2015.
Kelly A. Broadway,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-00990 Filed 1-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P