Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-300 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-116-AD; Amendment 39-8795; AD 94-01-13]

Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-300 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain de Havilland Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes,

that requires modifying the airplane fire detection system and revising

the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include procedures related to

operating the system. This amendment is prompted by reports of several

oil fires in the inter compressor case (ICC) assembly. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to prevent severe structural damage

to the airplane due to an internal engine fire within the ICC.

DATES: Effective March 3, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of March 3, 1994.

ADDRESSES: 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,

Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification

Office, 181 South Franklin Avenue, room 202, Valley Stream, New York;

or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,

NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Fiesel, Aerospace Engineer,

Propulsion Branch, ANE-174, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New

York Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin Avenue, room

202, Valley Stream, New York 11582; telephone (516) 791-7422; fax (516)

791-9024.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain de Havilland Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes was

published in the Federal Register on September 29, 1993 (58 FR 50868).

That action proposed to require the installation of an inter compressor

case (ICC) fire detection system, connection of the ICC fire detection

system to the airplane fire detection system, and a revision to the AFM

to provide the flight crew with operating procedures associated with

the ICC fire detection system.

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.

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require

the adoption of the rule as proposed.

The FAA estimates that 19 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 9 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor

rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $985

per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD

on U.S. operators is estimated to be $28,120, or $1,480 per airplane.

This total cost figure assumes that no operator has yet accomplished

the requirements of this AD.

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 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

94-01-13 De Havilland, Inc.: Amendment 39-8795. Docket 93-NM-116-AD.

Applicability: Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -314 series airplanes,

serial numbers 100 through 332 inclusive; certificated in any

category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent severe structural damage to the airplane due to an

internal engine fire within the inter compressor case, accomplish

the following:

(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD,

accomplish paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD:

(1) Install an inter compressor case (ICC) fire detection system

in accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-26-14, dated

March 6, 1992.

(2) Connect the ICC fire detection system to the airplane fire

detection system in accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin

S.B. 8-26-14, dated March 6, 1992.

(3) Revise Section 4, ``Abnormal Procedures'', Page 4-10-1, of

the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), by adding the

following steps immediately after step 1 of paragraph 4-10, ``Engine

Fire Detection System Failures''. This may be accomplished by

inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

``For aircraft incorporating de Havilland Modification 8/1835

2. FAULT A advisory light illuminates--Land as soon as

practicable.''

(b) 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: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the New York ACO.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR

21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the

requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(d) The installation and connection shall be done in accordance

with de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-26-14, dated March 6,

1992. 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 FAA, Engine and Propeller

Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South

Franklin Avenue, room 202, Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office

of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 3, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 4, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-453 Filed 1-31-94; 8:45 am]

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