Document ID: FAA-2014-0701-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Various de Havilland Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-12-02T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71302-71304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27789]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0701; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-025-AD; 
Amendment 39-18034; AD 2014-24-01]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Various de Havilland Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Harry E. Williams de Havilland Model DH 82A airplanes, all Cliff 
Robertson de Havilland Model DH 82A airplanes, and all de Havilland 
Model DH 83 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of structural 
failure of the attachment of the wing to the fuselage that resulted 
from failed lateral fuselage tie rods. This AD requires inspecting the 
aircraft maintenance records to determine the date of installation or 
the date of last replacement of the lateral fuselage tie rods. This AD 
also requires repetitively replacing all lateral fuselage tie rods and 
attaching nuts at a specified life limit interval. We are issuing this 
AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 6, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 6, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, for de 
Havilland DH 82A airplanes, contact de Havilland Support Ltd., Building 
213, Duxford Airfield, Cambridge, United Kingdom CB22 4QR, telephone: 
+44 (0) 1223 830090; fax: +44 (0) 1223 830085; email: 
info@dhsupport.com; Internet: http://www.dhsupport.com/moth.php.
    For service information identified in this AD, for de Havilland DH 
83 airplanes, contact Air Stratus Ltd., Oaksey Park Airfield, Oaksey, 
Malmesbury, Wiltshite, United Kingdom SN 16 9SD; telephone: +44 (0) 
1666 575111; no known Internet address.
    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-2014-
0701; 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 address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For airplanes covered under Type 
Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) A5PC (Model de Havilland DH 82A airplanes 
built in Australia): Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Fort 
Worth Airplane Certification Office, ASW-150 (c/o San Antonio MIDO), 
10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (210) 
308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370; email: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov.
    For airplanes covered under TCDS A8EU (Model de Havilland DH 82A 
airplanes built in the United Kingdom): Fred Guerin, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Suite 100, Lakewood, California 90712; phone (562) 
627-5232; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: fred.guerin@faa.gov.
    For airplanes covered under TCDS 2-439 (Model de Havilland DH 83 
airplanes built in the United Kingdom): Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; phone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov.

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 all Harry E. Williams de 
Havilland Model DH 82A airplanes, all Cliff Robertson de Havilland 
Model DH 82A airplanes, and all de Havilland

[[Page 71303]]

Model DH 83 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
September 15, 2014 (79 FR 54919). The NPRM was prompted by reports of 
structural failure of the attachment of the wing to the fuselage that 
resulted from failed lateral fuselage tie rods. The NPRM proposed to 
require inspecting the aircraft maintenance records to determine the 
date of installation or the date of last replacement of the lateral 
fuselage tie rods. The NPRM also proposed to require repetitively 
replacing all lateral fuselage tie rods and attaching nuts at a 
specified life limit interval. We are issuing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 54919, September 
15, 2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this 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 (79 FR 54919, September 15, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 54919, September 15, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 69 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost            Parts cost           product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the aircraft maintenance    1 work-hour x $85     Not applicable......             $85           $5,865
 records to determine the date of    per hour = $85.
 installation or date of last
 replacement of the lateral
 fuselage tie rods and attaching
 nuts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to the necessary replacements.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                  Action                                Labor cost                 Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace lateral fuselage tie rods and       30 work-hours x $85 per hour =                $825           $3,375
 attaching nuts.                             $2,550.
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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

    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 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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2014-24-01 Harry E. Williams, Cliff Robertson, and de Havilland 
Airplanes: Amendment 39-18034; Docket No. FAA-2014-0701; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-CE-025-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 6, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Harry E. Williams and Cliff Robertson de 
Havilland Model DH 82A airplanes, all serial numbers, and de 
Havilland Model DH 83 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in 
any category.

[[Page 71304]]

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 5341, Fuselage, Wing Attach Fittings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of structural failure of the 
attachment of the wing to the fuselage that resulted from failed 
lateral fuselage tie rods. We are issuing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified in 
paragraphs (g) through (h) of this AD, unless already done.

(g) Determine Date of Installation or Date of Last Replacement of the 
Lateral Fuselage Tie Rods and Attaching Nuts

    Within the next 30 days after January 6, 2015 (the effective 
date of this AD), review the aircraft records to determine the date 
of installation or date of last replacement of the lateral fuselage 
tie rods and attaching nuts.

(h) Replace the Lateral Fuselage Tie Rod and Attaching Nuts

    Initially replace the lateral fuselage tie rod and attaching 
nuts at whichever of the compliance times specified in paragraph 
(h)(1) or paragraph (h)(2) of this AD that applies. Repetitively 
thereafter replace the lateral fuselage tie rod and attaching nuts 
every 2,000 hours TIS or 18 years, whichever occurs first. Do the 
replacement following the procedures in paragraph 2.C. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions and the table on Figure 1 in British 
Aerospace Military Aircraft and Aerostructures BAe Aircraft Bulletin 
for De Havilland Moth Aircraft, Document Type and Ref No Technical 
News Sheet CT (Moth) No 29, Issue 3, dated March 1, 1999.
    (1) If the date of lateral fuselage tie rod installation or date 
of last replacement is known: Do the initial replacement at 
whichever of the following compliance times in paragraph (h)(1)(i) 
or paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of this AD that occurs later:
    (i) Upon accumulating 2,000 hours TIS on the lateral fuselage 
tie rod or upon reaching 18 years from the last lateral fuselage tie 
rod replacement, whichever occurs first; or
    (ii) Within the next 6 months after January 6, 2015 (the 
effective date of this AD) or within the next 100 hours TIS January 
6, 2015 (after the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs 
first.
    (2) If the date of lateral fuselage tie rod installation or date 
of last replacement is not known: Do the initial replacement within 
the next 6 months after January 6, 2015 (the effective date of this 
AD) or within the next 100 hours TIS after January 6, 2015 (the 
effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager of the Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office 
(ACO), the Manager of the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), and the Manager of the Standards Office, FAA, have the 
authority to approve AMOCs for their respective products covered by 
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In 
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal 
inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. 
If sending information directly to the manager of the applicable FAA 
office, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3), as applicable.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD for airplanes covered 
under Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) A5PC (Model de Havilland DH 
82A airplanes built in Australia), contact Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Fort Worth ACO, ASW-150 (c/o San Antonio MIDO), 10100 
Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (210) 
308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370; email: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov.
    (2) For more information about this AD for airplanes covered 
under TCDS A8EU (Model de Havilland DH 82A airplanes built in the 
United Kingdom), contact Fred Guerin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Los 
Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Suite 100, Lakewood, California 
90712; phone (562) 627-5232; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: 
fred.guerin@faa.gov.
    (3) For more information about this AD for airplanes covered 
under TCDS 2-439 (Model de Havilland DH 83 airplanes built in the 
United Kingdom), contact Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov.

(k) 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) British Aerospace Military Aircraft and Aerostructures BAe 
Aircraft Bulletin for De Havilland Moth Aircraft, Document Type and 
Ref No Technical News Sheet CT (Moth) No 29, Issue 3, dated March 1, 
1999.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For British Aerospace Military Aircraft and Aerostructures 
service information identified in this AD, contact:
    (i) For de Havilland DH 82A airplanes: de Havilland Support Ltd, 
Building 213, Duxford Airfield, Cambridge, United Kingdom CB22 4QR; 
telephone: +44 (0) 1223 830090; fax: +44 (0) 1223 830085; email: 
info@dhsupport.com; Internet: http://www.dhsupport.com/moth.php.
    (ii) For de Havilland DH 83 airplanes: Air Stratus Ltd., Oaksey 
Park Airfield, Oaksey, Malmesbury, Wiltshite, United Kingdom SN 16 
9SD; telephone: +44 (0) 1666 575111; no known Internet address.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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 November 18, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27789 Filed 12-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P