Rule2022-11559
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
June 1, 2022
Effective
July 6, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Viking Air Limited (Viking) (type certificate previously held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Model 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) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as cracks and corrosion damage to the aileron internal structure. This AD requires visually inspecting the entire aileron internal structure, correcting any damage found, and reporting the inspection results to Viking. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32975-32978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11559]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-1003; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00962-A;
Amendment 39-22059; AD 2022-11-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Viking Air Limited (Viking) (type certificate previously held by
Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Model 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) originated by an
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe
condition as cracks and corrosion damage to the aileron internal
structure. This AD requires visually inspecting the entire aileron
internal structure, correcting any damage found, and reporting the
inspection results to Viking. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 6, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 6,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Viking Air Ltd., 1959 de Havilland Way, Sidney British
Columbia, Canada V8L 5V5; phone: (800) 663-8444; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7f1c10110b16110a161118511e160d08100d0b1716111a0c0c3f0916141611181e160d511c1012"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c7a4a8a9b3aea9b2aea9a0e9a6aeb5b0a8b5b3afaea9a2b4b487b1aeacaea9a0a6aeb5e9a4a8aa">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="https://www.vikingair.com">https://www.vikingair.com</a>. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2020-1003.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1003; 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 final rule, the
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The address for
Docket Operations is 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: Deep Gaurav, Aviation Safety Engineer,
New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: (516) 228-7300; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dabebfbfaaf4bdbbafa8bbac9abcbbbbf4bdb5ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="adc9c8c8dd83caccd8dfccdbedcbcccc83cac2db">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Viking Model DHC-6-
1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, DHC-6-300, and DHC-6-400 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2022 (87 FR 3236). The
NPRM was prompted by MCAI from Transport Canada, which is the aviation
authority for Canada. Transport Canada issued AD CF-2020-05, dated
March 13, 2020 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an
unsafe condition on Viking Model DHC-6 series 1, DHC-6 series 100, DHC-
6 series 110, DHC-6 series 200, DHC-6 series 210, DHC-6 series 300,
DHC-6 series 310, DHC-6 series 320, and DHC-6 series 400 airplanes. The
MCAI states:
Viking Air Ltd. (Viking) received reports of cracks and
corrosion damage to the aileron internal structure. During a repair
of an in-service aeroplane, an aileron hinge support rib was found
cracked at the lower flange along the bend radius near the hinge
fitting attachment at wing station 247.29. Preliminary investigation
by Viking determined that the observed crack was the result of
fatigue. During an inspection of another in-service aeroplane, the
aileron inboard rib and the vertical flange of the inboard aileron
forward spar near a fastener hole were also found cracked.
The current inspection requirements of the affected aeroplanes
do not include a direct inspection of the aileron internal
structure. Cracks or other damage to the aileron ribs or to the
aileron spar flanges are not detectable from the aileron exterior
surfaces. Undetected cracks or other damage to the aileron internal
structure could lead to progressive looseness of the aileron at the
hinge support rib push-pull rod attachment and subsequent flutter
condition and degraded or loss of aileron control.
To detect and correct any cracking or other damage to the
aileron internal structure, this [Transport Canada] AD mandates a
one-time Special Detailed Inspection (SDI) of all aileron internal
structure, including front and rear spars, all aileron ribs and
upper and lower skins for cracks, corrosion or other damage, and
rectification, as required, of the damaged parts.
This [Transport Canada] AD also mandates reporting of all
inspection results to Viking. The reporting of the inspection
results is necessary to assess the overall aileron internal
structural condition on in-service aeroplanes and to determine
additional corrective action based on the results of the
inspections.
Viking has published Service Bulletin (SB) V6/0066 Revision A,
dated 9 December 2019, (referred to as ``the SB'' in this [Transport
Canada] AD) providing accomplishment instructions for the
inspection, rectification of the damaged parts, and reporting
requirements.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://
[[Page 32976]]
www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
1003.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require visually inspecting the
entire aileron internal structure, correcting any damage found, and
reporting the inspection results to Viking. The FAA is issuing this AD
to prevent progressive looseness of the aileron at the hinge support
rib push-pull rod attachment, flutter condition, and degraded or loss
of aileron control, which could lead to loss of control of the
airplane.
Ex Parte Contact
After the comment period closed, the FAA requested additional
information from Transport Canada and Viking about the factory drilled
drain holes in the ailerons. A summary of this discussion can be found
in the rulemaking docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> in Docket No.
FAA-2020-1003.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from one commenter, Mile-Hi Skydiving
Center (Mile-Hi). The following presents the comment received on the
NPRM and the FAA's response.
Request Regarding Related Service Information
Mile-Hi requested that Viking revise DHC-6 Twin Otter Service
Bulletin V6/0066, Revision A, dated December 9, 2019 (Viking SB V6/
0066, Revision A), to provide instructions for enlarging the aileron
drain holes. Mile-Hi stated that the existing factory-drilled aileron
drain holes are \3/16\ inch (0.1875 inch) in diameter and are too small
to accommodate the borescope used at its facility, which has a diameter
of \1/4\ inch (0.232 inch). Mile-Hi concluded that the existing aileron
drain holes will need to be enlarged to accommodate any borescope for
the proposed inspection. Mile-Hi also requested follow-on actions such
as reducing the enlarged holes to the original size to prevent ingress
of nesting insects such as wasps or hornets and static balancing the
ailerons. As, in the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the
aileron in accordance with steps in Viking SB V6/0066, Revision A, the
FAA infers that Mile-Hi is requesting that the FAA revise the proposed
AD to include these actions.
The FAA does not agree that this AD needs to mandate enlarging the
aileron drain holes. The FAA contacted Transport Canada and Viking to
obtain information on whether any other Model DHC-6 airplane operators
have had similar issues regarding the diameter of the existing aileron
drain holes. Viking advised that it has received approximately 170
service bulletin reply forms in response to Viking SB V6/0066, Revision
A, and operators have successfully done the borescope inspection with
no difficulty. In addition, Viking confirmed that the 0.1875-inch
diameter aileron drain hole size is standard per the Model DHC-6
airplane type design, and that commercially available borescope heads
fit into the standard-sized holes (as specified in the equipment list
in Section II.A.1 of Viking SB V6/0066, Revision A). Based on this
information, the FAA has determined that the borescope diameter is not
a fleet-wide issue that needs further attention.
The FAA acknowledges field repairs to replace the aileron skins
could have been completed on some airplanes where, during replacement,
the drain holes were omitted or manufactured undersized. If field
repairs have been done that prevent compliance with the inspection in
this AD, then the operator will need approval of an alternative method
of compliance. The FAA did not change this AD based on this comment.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comment received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting the AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin V6/0066,
Revision A, dated December 9, 2019. The service information specifies
procedures for visually inspecting the entire aileron internal
structure, including front and rear spars, all aileron ribs, and upper
and lower skins; repairing or replacing any damaged part; and reporting
inspection results to Viking Air Limited technical support. 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.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA also reviewed Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin V6/
0066, Revision NC, dated August 29, 2019. The service information
specifies procedures for visually inspecting the aileron ribs,
including ribs and both sides of the hinge arm; repairing or replacing
any damaged part; and reporting inspection results to Viking Air
Limited technical support.
Interim Action
The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. The inspection
reports will provide the FAA and Viking additional data for determining
the damage present in the fleet. After analyzing the data, the FAA may
take further rulemaking action.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to Viking Air Limited Model DHC-6 series 110, DHC-
6 series 210, DHC-6 series 310, and DHC-6 series 320, and this AD does
not because these models do not have an FAA type certificate. Model
DHC-6 series 1, DHC-6 series 100, DHC-6 series 200, DHC-6 series 300,
and DHC-6 series 400 airplanes specified in the MCAI correspond to FAA
Model DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, DHC-6-300, and DHC-6-400
airplanes, respectively.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 33 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take about 3 work-hours
per airplane to comply with the inspection and 1 work-hour to comply
with the reporting requirement of this AD. The average labor rate is
$85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators will be $11,220 or $340 per airplane.
In addition, the FAA estimates that any necessary follow-on actions
to replace an aileron would take 6 work-hours and require parts costing
$52,243, for a cost of $52,753 per airplane. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of airplanes that may need these actions.
Paperwork Reduction Act
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 currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
[[Page 32977]]
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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.
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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:
2022-11-09 Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 39-22059; Docket
No. FAA-2020-1003; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00962-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 6, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Viking Air Limited (type certificate
previously held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Model
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
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5700, Wing
Structure.
(e) Unsafe Condition
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 identifies the unsafe condition as cracks and
corrosion damage to the aileron internal structure. The FAA is
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks and other damage to the
aileron internal structure. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in progressive looseness of the aileron at the hinge
support rib push-pull rod attachment, flutter condition, and
degraded or loss of aileron control, which could lead to loss of
control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection and Replacement of the Aileron
At the compliance time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of
this AD, inspect the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) aileron
internal structures for cracks, corrosion, and other damage and take
any necessary corrective actions in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions, steps II.A. through II.A.3. of Viking
DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin V6/0066, Revision A, dated
December 9, 2019 (Viking SB V6/0066, Revision A).
(1) For each LH or RH aileron that has accumulated 16,000 or
more hours time-in-service (TIS), 32,000 or more flight cycles (FC),
or 10 or more years since first installation on an airplane,
whichever occurs first: Within 6 months after the effective date of
this AD.
(2) For each LH or RH aileron that has accumulated less than
16,000 hours TIS, less than 32,000 FC, and less than 10 years since
first installation on an airplane: Within 6 months after
accumulating 16,000 hours TIS, 32,000 FC, or 10 years, whichever
occurs first.
(h) Reporting Requirement
Within 30 days after the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1)
or (2) of this AD or within 30 days after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later, report to Viking the information
requested on the Inspection Reply Form, page 7, of Viking SB V6/
0066, Revision A.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the actions required by paragraphs
(g)(1) and (2) of this AD if you performed those actions before the
effective date of this AD using Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Service
Bulletin V6/0066, Revision NC, dated August 29, 2019.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) 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 the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.
(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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Deep Gaurav,
Aviation Safety Engineer, New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7300; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5c1c0c0d58bc2c4d0d7c4d3e5c3c4c48bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e480818194ca838591968592a4828585ca838b92">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2020-05, dated March 13,
2020, for more information. You may examine the Transport Canada AD
at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2020-1003.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference
[[Page 32978]]
(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 DHC-6 Twin Otter Service Bulletin V6/0066, Revision
A, dated December 9, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Viking Air Ltd., 1959 de Havilland Way, Sidney, British Columbia,
Canada V8L 5V5; phone: (800) 663-8444; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#caa9a5a4bea3a4bfa3a4ade4aba3b8bda5b8bea2a3a4afb9b98abca3a1a3a4adaba3b8e4a9a5a7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e1828e8f95888f94888f86cf808893968e939589888f849292a197888a888f86808893cf828e8c">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="https://www.vikingair.com">https://www.vikingair.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(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, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#caacb8e4a3a4b9baafa9bea3a5a48aa4abb8abe4ada5bc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3355411d5a5d40435650475a5c5d735d5241521d545c45">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on May 17, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-11559 Filed 5-31-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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