Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier Inc.; de Havilland, Inc.) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 105 (Friday, May 31, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25173-25175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11298]



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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 105 / Friday, May 31, 2019 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 25173]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0410; Product Identifier 2018-CE-059-AD; Amendment 
39-19644; AD 2019-10-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier Inc.; de Havilland, Inc.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Viking Air Limited (Viking) 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 the aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as occurrences of excessive wear of elevator cables at pulley 
location station (STA) 270.3. The FAA is issuing this AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 20, 2019.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 15, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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.

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-2019-
0410; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations (telephone (800) 
647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Admin Services Section, FAA, New York ACO 
Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; 
telephone: (516) 228-7323; fax: (516) 794-5531; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued AD Number CF-2018-28, dated October 15, 2018 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Viking 
(formerly Bombardier Inc.; de Havilland, Inc.) Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-
100, DHC-6-110, DHC-6-200, DHC-6-210, DHC-6-300, DHC-6-310, DHC-6-320, 
and DHC-6-400 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    There have been several occurrences of excessive wear of 
elevator cables at the STA 270.3 pulleys. In one case the cable 
failed in flight leading to an emergency landing. Viking Air Ltd., 
(Viking) has determined that excessive wear can be caused by a 
damaged pulley. Elevator cable wear that is not detected can lead to 
failure of the cable and loss of control of the aeroplane.

    The damage to the elevator control cable is caused by a dent on the 
pulley on the inside bearing race that is not detectable by direct 
visual inspection or rotation of the pulley without applied load. The 
dent in the bearing race prevents free turning of the pulley under 
certain load conditions, which causes rapid wear of the cable. The dent 
is caused by wear over an extended period of time due to vibration 
while the bearing is stationary. This AD requires inspecting the 
elevator and rudder control cables for abnormal wear at pulley location 
STA 270.3 and replacing any worn cables and the corresponding pulley. 
You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0410.

Record of Ex Parte Communication

    In preparation of AD actions such as notices of proposed rulemaking 
and immediately adopted final rules, it is the practice of the FAA to 
obtain technical information and information on the operational and 
economic impact from design approval holders and aircraft operators. 
The FAA discussed certain aspects of this AD by email and in person 
with Viking Air Limited. A copy of each email contact and a summary of 
each discussion can be found in the rulemaking docket. For information 
on locating the docket, see ``Examining the AD Docket'' in ADDRESSES.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin Number: 
V6/0062, dated July 31, 2017. The service information contains 
instructions for inspecting the elevator and rudder control cables for 
abnormal wear at pulley location STA 270.3 and replacing any worn 
cables and the corresponding pulley.

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. The FAA is 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.

[[Page 25174]]

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 the elevator or rudder control cable in flight could result 
in loss of control of the aircraft. Therefore, the FAA finds good cause 
that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable. 
In addition, for the reason(s) stated above, the FAA finds that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and the FAA did not precede it by notice and opportunity for 
public comment. The FAA invites 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-2019-0410; 
Product Identifier 2018-CE-059-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact we receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 133 products of U.S. 
registry. The FAA also estimates that it will take about .5 work-hour 
per product to comply with the basic inspection requirement of this AD. 
The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of the AD on 
U.S. operators to be $5,652.50, or $42.50 per product.
    In addition, the FAA estimates that any necessary follow-on 
replacement action will take about 3 work-hours and require parts 
costing $203 for a cost of $458 per product. The FAA has 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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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 
airworthiness directive (AD):

2019-10-05 Viking Air Limited (type certificate previously held by 
Bombardier Inc.; de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 39-19644; Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0410; Product Identifier 2018-CE-059-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 20, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Viking Air Limited (type certificate 
previously held by Bombardier Inc.; de Havilland, Inc.) Models DHC-
6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, 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) 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 occurrences of 
excessive wear of elevator cables at pulley location station (STA) 
270.3. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the elevator 
and rudder control cables, which could result in loss of control of 
the airplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Within the next 90 days after the effective date of this AD 
or upon reaching the life limit for replacing an elevator or rudder 
control cable, whichever occurs first, inspect the cables for 
abnormal wear at pulley location STA 270.3. If there is abnormal 
wear on a cable, before further flight, in addition to replacing the 
life-limited cable from service, replace the corresponding pulley. 
For purposes of this AD, abnormal wear is defined as either of the 
following:
    (i) Wear on an individual wire exceeding 40 percent of the 
original wire size or the blending of worn areas on the adjacent 
wires exceeding 40 percent; or

[[Page 25175]]

    (ii) More than three broken wires in a one-inch span of 7 x 7 
cable or six broken wires in a one-inch span of 7 x 19 cable.
    (2) Within the next 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of your maintenance 
program by adding the following requirements:
    (i) At the scheduled replacement of each life-limited elevator 
and rudder control cable, inspect the cable for abnormal wear at 
pulley location STA 270.3.
    (ii) If there is abnormal wear on the cable at the pulley 
location, before further flight, in addition to removing the life-
limited cable from service, replace the corresponding pulley.

(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. 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 certification 
office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational 
Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
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 
instead be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New 
York ACO Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or 
Viking Air Limited's Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved 
by the DOA, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(h) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI TCCA AD Number CF-2018-28, dated October 15, 
2018, and Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin Number: V6/0062, 
dated July 31, 2017, for related information. You may examine the 
MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0410. 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) (800) 663-
8444; fax: (250) 656-0673; email: [email protected]; 
internet: http://www.vikingair.com/support/service-bulletins.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Admin Services Section, 
FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7323; fax: (516) 794-5531; email: [email protected].

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 23, 2019.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Aircraft Certification Service, Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation 
Division, AIR-601.
[FR Doc. 2019-11298 Filed 5-30-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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