2022-23899

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: • the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document • the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to • the agency docket number / agency internal file number • the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration • 14 CFR Part 39 • [Docket No. FAA-2022-1409; Project Identifier AD-2022-01396-A; Amendment 39-22235; AD 2022-23-08] • RIN 2120-AA64 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) (type certificate previously held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Model DHC-3 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a recent investigation of a Viking Model DHC-3 airplane where the lock ring of the stabilizer actuator was found missing. This AD requires a visual inspection of the stabilizer actuator to confirm that the stabilizer actuator lock ring is present, correctly seated in the groove in the upper housing, and engaged in the clamp nut, applicable corrective actions, and application of a torque seal. This AD also requires sending the inspection results to the FAA. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective November 2, 2022. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by December 19, 2022. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1409; 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, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7300; email: 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On September 4, 2022, a fatal accident of a Viking Model DHC-3 airplane in Mutiny Bay near Freeland, WA occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board investigation showed that the lock ring of the stabilizer actuator was found missing. The investigation revealed that the clamp nut that attaches the top eye end and bearing assembly of the horizontal stabilizer actuator to the actuator barrel had unscrewed from the barrel. The investigation also found that the circular wire lock ring, which was designed to prevent the clamp nut from unscrewing, was not present. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in a reduction or loss of pitch control during flight with consequent loss of control of the airplane. The FA…

Fonte: Federal Register (federalregister.gov). Texto original em inglês. Conteúdo sanitizado por segurança.