AD 99-23-05

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Bombardier Model DHC-8-101, -102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes, that requires repetitive detailed visual inspections and high frequency eddy current inspections to detect cracking of the wing upper skin and ladder plates at over wing access panels between certain stations; and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the wing ladder plates, which, if not corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the wing.

Final Rule

99-23-05 BOMBARDIER, INC. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 39-11401. Docket 98-NM-335-AD.

Applicability: All Model DHC-8-101, -102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To detect and correct fatigue cracking of the wing ladder plates, which if not corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the wing, accomplish the following:

Inspection for DHC-8-100 and -300 Series Airplanes

(a) At the applicable compliance time listed in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD, perform a detailed visual inspection to detect cracking of the skin and a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection of the ladder plates at over wing access panels between station YW42.00 and YW171.20, in accordance with de Havilland Temporary Revision MTC-15, dated September 18, 1998, of the de Havilland Maintenance Program Manual PSM1-8-7 TC (for Model DHC-8-100 series airplanes); or de Havilland Temporary Revision MTC 3-14, dated September 18, 1998, of the de Havilland Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-83-7 TC (for Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes); as applicable. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10,000 flight cycles.

(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 5,000 or fewer total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD, accomplish the inspection prior to the accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles.

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated more than 5,000 total flight cycles, but fewer than 38,501 total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD, accomplish the inspection prior to the accumulation of [5,522 + (0.8955 x N Accumulated)] total cycles. "N Accumulated" is defined as the total number of flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD.

(3) For airplanes that have accumulated 38,501 or more total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD, accomplish the inspection within 1,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.

NOTE 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual inspection is defined as: "An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required."

Inspection for DHC-8-200 Series Airplanes

(b) At the applicable compliance time listed in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD, perform a detailed visual inspection of the skin and an HFEC inspection to detect cracking of the ladder plates at over wing access panels between station YW42.00 and YW171.20, in accordance with de Havilland Temporary Revision MTC 2-14, dated September 18, 1998, of the de Havilland Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-82-7 TC. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10,000 flight cycles.

(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 5,000 or fewer total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD, accomplish the inspection prior to the accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles.

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated more than 5,000 total flight cycles, but fewer than 38,501 total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD, accomplish the inspection prior to the accumulation of [5,522 + (0.8955 x N Accumulated)] total cycles, where "N Accumulated" is defined as the total number of flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD.
Repair

(c) If any crack is detected during any inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate; or the Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) (or its delegated agent). For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, New York ACO, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(d) An alternative method of complianceor adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, New York ACO.

NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the New York ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

(f) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with de Havilland Temporary Revision MTC-15, dated September 18, 1998, of the de Havilland Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-8-7TC; de Havilland Temporary Revision MTC 3-14, dated September 18, 1998, of the de Havilland Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1- 83-7TC; or de Havilland Temporary Revision MTC 2-14, dated September 18, 1998, of the de Havilland Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-82-7TC; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

NOTE 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness directive CF- 98-30, dated August 31, 1998.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on December 17, 1999.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Bombardier Model DHC-8-101, -102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 3, 1999 (64 FR 48333). That action proposed to require repetitive detailed visual inspections and high frequency eddy current inspections to detect cracking of the wing upper skin and ladder plates at over wing access panels between certain stations; and repair, if necessary.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA s determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that166 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 40 work hours per airplane to accomplish the inspections, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $398,400, or $2,400 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES."

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: