Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29583-29586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4677]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22146; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-184-AD; 
Amendment 39-14606; AD 2006-11-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7 airplanes. This AD requires implementing 
a corrosion prevention and control program (CPCP) either by 
accomplishing specific tasks or by revising the maintenance inspection 
program to include a CPCP. This AD results from a determination that, 
as airplanes age, they are more likely to exhibit indications of 
corrosion. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the 
airplane due to corrosion.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 27, 2006.

[[Page 29584]]

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 27, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Viking Air Limited, 9574 Hampden Road, Sidney, British 
Columbia V8L 5V5, Canada, for service information identified in this 
AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Hjelm, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7323; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov 
or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket 
Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the 
plaza level of the Nassif Building at the street address stated in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all 
Bombardier Model DHC-7 airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was published 
in the Federal Register on March 27, 2006 (71 FR 15063). That 
supplemental NPRM proposed to require implementing a corrosion 
prevention and control program (CPCP) either by accomplishing specific 
tasks or by revising the maintenance inspection program to include a 
CPCP.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the 
supplemental NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Changes to the Supplemental NPRM

    We have revised the applicability of the supplemental NPRM to 
identify model designations as published in the most recent type 
certificate data sheet for the affected models.
    We have also revised the contact name/address for the service 
information to that of the current type certificate holder.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
changes described previously. We have determined that these changes 
will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase 
the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 26 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 148 
specific inspections specified in the de Havilland Dash 7, Corrosion 
Prevention and Control Manual, Product Support Manual (PSM) 1-7-5, 
dated May 13, 1997, will take about 48 work hours per airplane, per 
inspection cycle, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is 
$81,120, or $3,120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

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 have 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 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-11-02 Viking Air Limited (Formerly Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 
39-14606. Docket No. FAA-2005-22146; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-
184-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 27, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7-1, 
DHC-7-100, DHC-7-101, DHC-7-102, and DHC-7-103 airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a determination that, as airplanes age, 
they are more likely to exhibit indications of corrosion. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the airplane due to 
corrosion.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Manual References

    (f) The term ``the Manual,'' as used in this AD, means the de 
Havilland Dash 7, Corrosion Prevention and Control Manual,

[[Page 29585]]

Product Support Manual (PSM) 1-7-5, dated May 13, 1997.

Approval of Information Collection Requirements

    (g) Information collection requirements in paragraphs (l) and 
(m) of this AD are approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and are assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Initial Inspections

    (h) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform each of the Corrosion Tasks, including re-protection 
actions, as applicable, specified in Part 3 of the Manual by 
accomplishing the basic tasks defined in Parts 2 and 3 of the 
Manual, in accordance with the procedures of the Manual.

Repetitive Inspections

    (i) Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD, repeat each 
of the Corrosion Tasks, and re-protection actions, as applicable, 
specified in Part 3 of the Manual at intervals not to exceed 3 or 6 
years, as specified in Part 3 of the Manual.
    (j) After accomplishment of each initial Corrosion Task required 
by paragraph (h) of this AD, the FAA may approve the incorporation 
into the operator's approved maintenance/inspection program of the 
Corrosion Prevention and Control Program (CPCP) specified in the 
Manual and this AD; or an equivalent program that is approved by the 
FAA. In all cases, the initial Corrosion Task for each airplane area 
must be completed at the compliance time specified in paragraph (h) 
of this AD.
    (1) Any operator complying with paragraph (j) of this AD may use 
an alternative recordkeeping method to that otherwise required by 
section 91.417 (``Maintenance records'') or section 121.380 
(``Maintenance recording requirements'') of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 91.417 or 14 CFR 121.380, respectively) for the 
actions required by this AD, provided that the recordkeeping method 
is approved by the FAA and is included in a revision to the FAA-
approved maintenance/inspection program. For the purposes of this 
paragraph, the FAA is defined as the cognizant Flight Standards 
District Office.
    (2) After the initial accomplishment of the Corrosion Tasks 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD, any extension of the 
repetitive intervals specified in the Manual must be approved by the 
FAA. For the purposes of this paragraph, the FAA is defined as the 
Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

Corrective Actions

    (k) If any corrosion is found during accomplishment of any 
action required by paragraph (h) or (i) of this AD: Within 30 days 
after the finding; rework, repair, or replace, as applicable, any 
subject part, in accordance with Section 4.0 of Part 3 of the 
Manual.

Reporting Requirements and Repetitive Actions for Remainder of Affected 
Fleet

    (l) If any Level 3 corrosion, as defined in the Introduction of 
the Manual, is found during accomplishment of any action required by 
this AD: Do paragraphs (l)(1), (l)(2), and (l)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Within 10 days after the finding of Level 3 corrosion, 
submit a report of the findings to the Manager, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, 
Westbury, New York 11590; fax (516) 794-5531. The report must follow 
the format specified in Section 5.0 of Part 3 of the Manual, or be 
submitted using a Service Difficulty Report, as applicable.
    (2) Within 10 days after the finding of Level 3 corrosion, 
submit a plan to the FAA to identify a schedule for accomplishing 
the applicable Corrosion Task on the remainder of the airplanes in 
the operator's fleet that are subject to this AD, or data 
substantiating that the Level 3 corrosion that was found is an 
isolated case. The FAA may impose a schedule other than proposed in 
the plan upon finding that a change to the schedule is needed to 
ensure that any other Level 3 corrosion is detected in a timely 
manner. For the purposes of this paragraph, the FAA is defined as 
the cognizant Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) for operators 
that are assigned a PMI (e.g., part 121, 125, and 135 operators), 
and the cognizant Flight Standards District Office for other 
operators (e.g., part 91 operators).
    (3) Within the time schedule approved in accordance with 
paragraph (l)(2) of this AD, accomplish the applicable Corrosion 
Task on the remainder of the airplanes in the operator's fleet that 
are subject to this AD.
    (m) If any Level 2 or 3 corrosion, as defined in the 
Introduction of the Manual, is found during accomplishment of any 
action required by this AD: At the applicable time specified in 
Section 5.0 of Part 3 of the Manual, report these findings to the 
manufacturer according to Section 5.0 of Part 3 of the Manual.

Limiting Future Corrosion Findings

    (n) If corrosion findings that exceed Level 1 are found in any 
area during any repeat of any Corrosion Task after the initial 
accomplishment required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Within 60 days 
after such finding, implement a means approved by the FAA to reduce 
future findings of corrosion in that area to Level 1 or better. For 
the purposes of this paragraph, the FAA is defined as the cognizant 
Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) for operators that are 
assigned a PMI (e.g., part 121, 125, and 135 operators), and the 
cognizant Flight Standards District Office for other operators 
(e.g., part 91 operators).

Scheduling Corrosion Tasks for Transferred Airplanes

    (o) Before any airplane subject to this AD is transferred and 
placed into service by an operator: Establish a schedule for 
accomplishing the Corrosion Tasks required by this AD in accordance 
with paragraph (o)(1) or (o)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For airplanes on which the Corrosion Tasks required by this 
AD have been accomplished previously at the schedule established by 
this AD: Perform the first Corrosion Task in each area in accordance 
with the previous operator's schedule, or in accordance with the new 
operator's schedule, whichever results in an earlier accomplishment 
of that Corrosion Task. After the initial accomplishment of each 
Corrosion Task in each area as required by this paragraph, repeat 
each Corrosion Task in accordance with the new operator's schedule.
    (2) For airplanes on which the Corrosion Tasks required by this 
AD have not been accomplished previously, or have not been 
accomplished at the schedule established by this AD: The new 
operator must perform the initial accomplishment of each Corrosion 
Task in each area before further flight or in accordance with a 
schedule approved by the FAA. For the purposes of this paragraph, 
the FAA is defined as the cognizant PMI for operators that are 
assigned a PMI (e.g., part 121, 125, and 135 operators), and the 
cognizant Flight Standards District Office for other operators 
(e.g., part 91 operators).

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (p)(1) The Manager, New York ACO, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (q) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-98-03, dated February 
27, 1998, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (r) You must use de Havilland Dash 7, Corrosion Prevention and 
Control Manual, Product Support Manual 1-7-5, dated May 13, 1997, to 
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (Page number 64 containing Figure 
21 is actually the 66th page of the document; the page number is 
incorrect.) Contact Viking Air Limited, 9574 Hampden Road, Sidney, 
British Columbia V8L 5V5, Canada, for a copy of this service 
information. You may review copies at the Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet 
at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.


[[Page 29586]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 15, 2006.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-4677 Filed 5-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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