- Effective
- April 21, 1997
- Published
- March 17, 1997 · 62 FR 12531–12532
- Amendment
- 39-9965
- Docket
- 95-NM-158-AD
- Issued as
- Final rule
Unofficial copy from the Federal Register text, document 97-6261. Only the govinfo PDF is the legal edition.
Copies of the files this page was built from, with their SHA-256. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
| File | Size | SHA-256 | Original |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official PDF | 116 KB | 1f48a7c3…808d5db | 97-6261.pdf on govinfo.gov |
| Federal Register text | 11 KB | 2e18fb19…307f0fb | 97-6261.txt on federalregister.gov |
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Summary
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all de Havilland Model DHC-7 series airplanes, that requires certain structural inspections, and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a structural re-evaluation, which identified certain significant structural items to inspect for fatigue cracking as these airplanes approach and exceed the manufacturer's original design life. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking in these areas which, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner, could reduce the structural integrity of these airplanes.
The airworthiness directive
97-06-08 De Havilland, Inc.: Amendment 39-9965. Docket 95-NM-158-AD.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
PDF page 22. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Applicability: All Model DHC-7 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 otherwise 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 ensure the continuing structural integrity of these airplanes, accomplish the following:
(a)
PDF page 2(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program the inspections and inspection intervals defined in DHC-7 Maintenance Manual (PSM 1-7-2), Chapter 5-60-00, Temporary Revision (TR 5-84), dated June 15, 1994; and inspect the significant structural items prior to the thresholds specified in TR 5-84 of PSM 1-7-2. Repeat the inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in TR 5-84 of PSM 1-7-2.
(b)
PDF page 2(b) Prior to further flight, repair any discrepancies detected during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD in accordance with one of the following:
(1) the DHC-7 Maintenance Manual; or
(2) the DHC-7 Structural Repair Manual; or
(3) other data meeting the certification basis of the airplane which is approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate; or
(4) data meeting the certification basis of the airplane which is approved by Transport Canada Aviation.
(c)
PDF page 2(c) All inspection results, positive or negative, must be reported to de Havilland in accordance with ``Introduction,'' paragraph 5, of DHC-7 Maintenance Manual (PSM 1-7-2), Chapter 5-60-00, Temporary Revision (TR 5-84), dated June 15, 1994. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been 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 have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
(d)
PDF page 2(d) An alternative method of compliance or 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the New York ACO.
(e)
PDF page 2(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.
(f)
PDF page 2(f) The structural inspections shall be done in accordance with DHC-7 Maintenance Manual (PSM 1-7-2), Chapter 5-60-00, Temporary Revision (TR 5-84), dated June 15, 1994. 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 de Havilland, Inc., 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, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 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.
(g)
PDF page 2(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 21, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 6, 1997. Neil D. Schalekamp, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
Rule preamble
The FAA’s background, reasoning and cost estimate, published with the AD.
DatesPage 1
Effective April 21, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of April 21, 1997.
AddressesPage 1
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from de Havilland, Inc., Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 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.
For further information contactPage 1
Sol Maroof, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7522; fax (516) 568-2716.
Supplementary informationPage 1
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 de Havilland Model DHC-7 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 22, 1996 (61 FR 25598). That action proposed to require that operators incorporate, into their FAA-approved maintenance inspection program, the inspections specified in DHC-7 Maintenance Manual (PSM 1-7-2), Chapter 5-60-00, Temporary Revision (TR 5-84), dated June 15, 1994. Additionally, that action proposed to require repair of any findings of cracks, loose or broken fasteners, or deformations.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
ConclusionPage 2
After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost impactPage 2
The FAA estimates that 50 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $45,000, or $900 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 impactPage 2
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 39Page 2
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Adoption of the AmendmentPage 2
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:
Adoption of the amendmentPage 2
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.