Document ID: FAA-2016-4229-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Viking Air Limited Airplanes
Posted Date: 2016-03-03T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11132-11134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04539]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 42 / Thursday, March 3, 2016 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 11132]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-4229; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-038-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Viking Air Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I, DHC-2 Mk. II, and DHC-2 Mk. III 
airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as corrosion 
of the elevator control rod and of the elevator actuating lever on the 
control column. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2016.

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 proposed AD, contact 
Viking Air Limited Technical Support, 1959 De Havilland Way, Sidney, 
British Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5; Fax: 250-656-0673; telephone: (North 
America) (800) 663-8444; email: technical.support@vikingair.com; 
Internet: http://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins. You may 
review 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-2016-
4229; 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 proposed 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:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-4229; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-038-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued AD No. CF-2015-21, dated July 30, 2015 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Viking Air 
Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I, DHC-2 Mk. II, and DHC-2 Mk. III airplanes. 
The MCAI states:

    There have been a number of reports of corrosion and/or cracking 
at the elevator actuating lever on the control column, in the 
elevator control rod assemblies, and at the rod end plug.
    Undetected corrosion and/or cracking of the elevator control rod 
assemblies or elevator actuating lever may lead to the failure of 
the components with consequent loss of aeroplane control.

    The MCAI requires visually inspecting the elevator control rod 
assemblies, the elevator actuating lever on the control column, and the 
control column torque tube for corrosion, cracking, and/or other 
damages, and repairing or replacing damaged parts. The MCAI also 
requires incorporating revisions into the maintenance program and adds 
a life limit to certain elevator control rod assemblies. You may 
examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-4229.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Viking Air Limited has issued DHC-2 Beaver Service Bulletin Number: 
V2/0005, Revision `C', dated July 17, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for doing detailed visual inspections of the 
elevator control rod assemblies, the elevator actuating lever on the 
control column, and the control column torque tube for corrosion, 
cracking, and/or other damages. The service bulletin also describes 
procedures for repairing or replacing damaged parts. 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 this NPRM.

[[Page 11133]]

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed 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 proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 135 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 11.5 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic inspection requirements of this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the basic 
inspection requirements of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be 
$131,962.50, or $977.50 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 8 work-hours and require parts costing $1,859, for a cost of 
$2,539 per product. Contact Viking Air Limited at the address 
identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM for current pricing 
and lead time. 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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 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),
    (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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:

Viking Air Limited: Docket No. FAA-2016-4229; Directorate Identifier 
2015-CE-038-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 18, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Viking Air Limited 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) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as corrosion of the 
elevator control rod and of the elevator actuating lever on the 
control column. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
corrosion and/or cracking of the elevator control rod assemblies and 
the elevator actuating lever, which if not detected and corrected, 
could cause these components to fail. This failure could result in 
loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

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

(g) Inspections

    Within the next 120 days after the effective date of this AD or 
within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the following 
inspections in accordance with section I. PLANNING INFORMATION, 
paragraph D. of Viking DHC-2 Beaver Service Bulletin Number: V2/
0005, Revision ``C'', dated July 17, 2015:
    (1) For airplanes with an installed elevator control rod 
assembly, part number (P/N) C2CF619A, do a detailed visual 
inspection of P/N C2CF619A for corrosion, cracking, and/or other 
damages.
    (2) For airplanes with an installed elevator control rod 
assembly, P/N CT2CF1021-1, do a detailed visual inspection of P/N 
CT2CF1021-1 for corrosion, cracking, and/or other damages.
    (3) For all airplanes, do a detailed visual inspection of the 
elevator actuating lever on the control column and the control 
column torque tube for corrosion, cracking and/or other damages.

(h) Replacement/Repair for P/N C2CF619A

    (1) Before further flight after the inspection required in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if corrosion, cracking, or other 
damages are found, replace P/N C2CF619A with P/N C2CF619A-11 
following section I. PLANNING INFORMATION, paragraph D. of Viking 
DHC-2 Beaver Service Bulletin Number: V2/0005, Revision ``C'', dated 
July 17, 2015, or contact Viking Air Limited at the address 
specified in paragraph (o) of this AD for an FAA-approved repair and 
incorporate the repair.
    (2) Within the next 120 days after the effective date of this AD 
or within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs first, you may replace P/N C2CF619A with P/N 
C2CF619A-11 instead of doing the inspection required in paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD. Do the replacement following section I. PLANNING 
INFORMATION, paragraph D. of Viking DHC-2 Beaver Service Bulletin 
Number: V2/0005, Revision ``C'', dated July 17, 2015.
    (3) After replacing P/N C2CF619A with P/N C2CF619A-11, you must 
still do the repetitive inspections of the elevator control rod 
assemblies following the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual) 
specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.

[[Page 11134]]

(i) Replacement/Repair for P/N CT2CF1021-1

    (1) Before further flight after the inspection required in 
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, if corrosion, cracking, or other 
damages are found, replace the elevator control rod assembly with P/
N CT2CF1021-1 that has been inspected and is free of corrosion, 
cracking, or other damages following section I. PLANNING 
INFORMATION, paragraph D. of Viking DHC-2 Beaver Service Bulletin 
Number: V2/0005, Revision ``C'', dated July 17, 2015, or contact 
Viking Air Limited at the address specified in paragraph (o) of this 
AD for an FAA-approved repair and incorporate the repair.
    (2) After replacing or repairing P/N CT2CF1021-1, you must still 
do the repetitive inspections of the elevator control rod assemblies 
following the Airworthiness Limitations section of the FAA-approved 
maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual) specified in 
paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.

(j) Repair of the Elevator Actuating Lever

    Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph 
(g)(3) of this AD, if corrosion, cracking, or other damages are 
found, contact Viking Air Limited at the address specified in 
paragraph (o) of this AD for an FAA-approved repair and incorporate 
the repair.

(k) Airworthiness Limitations/Restrictions

    (1) For all airplanes, within the next 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, insert the following into the 
Airworthiness Limitations section of the FAA-approved maintenance 
program (e.g., maintenance manual). This revision to the Limitation 
section incorporates repetitive inspections of the elevator control 
rod assemblies, the elevator actuating lever, and the control column 
torque tube for corrosion, cracks, and/or other damage. Insert item 
20A., of Part 3, in Appendix 2 of Temporary Revision No.: 2-38, 
dated March 4, 2015, into the VIKING PSM NO.: 1-2-2, AIRCRAFT: DHC-2 
BEAVER, SERIES: ALL, PUBLICATION: MAINTENANCE MANUAL; and insert 
item 20A., in Part 4, of Temporary Revision No.: 2T-14, dated March 
4, 2015, into VIKING PSM NO.: 1-2T-2, AIRCRAFT: DHC-2 TURBO BEAVER, 
SERIES: ALL, PUBLICATION: MAINTENANCE MANUAL.
    (2) For all airplanes, as of the effective date of this AD, do 
not install P/N C2CF619A or C2CF619A-9 as a replacement part.

(l) Life Limit for P/N C2CF619A

    As of the effective date of this AD, elevator control rod 
assemblies, P/N C2CF619A, are life-limited to 15 years and must be 
replaced with P/N C2CF619A-11 at the following compliance time:
    (1) If, as of the effective date of this AD, the age of the 
installed P/N C2CF619A is known, it must be replaced before 
exceeding the life limit or within the next 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (2) If, as of the effective date of this AD, the age of the 
installed P/N C2CF619A is not known, it must be replaced within the 
next 12 months after the effective date of this AD.

(m) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    Credit will be given for the inspections required in paragraphs 
(g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD if they were done before the 
effective date of this AD following Viking Air Limited DHC-2 Beaver 
Service Bulletin Number: V2/0005, Revision `NC', dated March 26, 
2012; Viking Air Limited DHC-2 Beaver Service Bulletin Number: V2/
0005, Revision `A', dated November 7, 2014; or Viking Air Limited 
DHC-2 Beaver Service Bulletin Number: V2/0005, Revision `B', dated 
March 4, 2015.

(n) 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.

(o) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD No. CF-2015-21, dated July 30, 
2015; and Viking Air Limited DHC-2 Beaver Service Bulletin Number: 
V2/0005, Revision `NC', dated March 26, 2012; Viking Air Limited 
DHC-2 Beaver Service Bulletin Number: V2/0005, Revision `A', dated 
November 7, 2014; or Viking Air Limited DHC-2 Beaver Service 
Bulletin Number: V2/0005, Revision `B', dated March 4, 2015, for 
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2016-4229. For service information related to 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) (800) 663-8444; email: 
technical.support@vikingair.com; Internet: http://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins. You may review 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 24, 2016.
Robert P. Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04539 Filed 3-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P