AD 2011-18-11 Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate No. A-815 Formerly Held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.)

Models named: DHC-3. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Viking Air Limited (type certificate No. A-815 formerly held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Model DHC-3 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.   Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Inspect the elevator control tabs for discrepancies (i) For airplanes previously affected by AD 2011-05-02 (76 FR 10220, February 24, 2011): Initially within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after March 31, 2011 (the effective date retained from AD 2011-05-02) Following Viking DHC-3 Otter Maintenance Manual Temporary Revisions No. 18, No. 19, and No. 20, all dated December 5, 2008.   (ii) For airplanes not previously affected by AD 2011-05-02 (76 FR 10220, February 24, 2011): Initially within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after October 3, 2011 (the effective date of this AD)   (iii) For all affected airplanes: Repetitively thereafter inspect at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS (2) If any discrepancies are found during any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, take necessary corrective actions to bring all discrepancies within acceptable tolerances For all affected airplanes: Before further flight after any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD in which discrepancies are found Following Viking DHC-3 Otter Maintenance Manual Temporary Revisions No. 18, No. 19, and No. 20, all dated December 5, 2008. (3) If, during any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, the total maximum free play of the elevator servo tab and trim tab relative to the elevator exceeds 1.0 degree (this is equal to a maximum displacement of 0.070″ at the trailing edge), report the results of the inspection to the FAA For all affected airplanes: Within 30 days after the inspection or within the next 10 days after October 3, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. For airplanes previously affected by AD 2011-05-02 (76 FR 10220, February 24, 2011): We are collecting these inspection results for 24 months after March 31, 2011 (the effective date retained from AD 2011-05-02). For airplanes not previously affected by AD 2011-05-02 (76 FR 10220, February 24, 2011): We are collecting these inspection results for 24 months after October 3, 2011 (the effective date of this AD). The reporting requirements of this AD are no longer required after that time. Use the form (figure 1 of this AD) and submit it to FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Attn: Jim Rutherford, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. AD 2011-18-11     Airplane Serial Number: Time-in-Service (TIS) of Airplane: Airplane Engine Type/Model Number/Series Number: TIS of Airplane When Current Engine was Installed: Date When Current Engine was Installed: STC Number that Installed Current Engine (if applicable): Out of Tolerance Recording: Corrective Action Taken: Any Additional Information (Optional): Name: Telephone and/or Email Address: Date: Send report to: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; facsimile: (816) 329-4090; e-mail: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. Figure 1

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 current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

This AD results from an evaluation of revisions to the manufacturer's maintenance manual that adds new repetitive inspections to the elevator control tabs. To require compliance with these inspections for U.S. owners and operators we are mandating these inspections through the rulemaking process. We are issuing this AD to add new repetitive inspections of the elevator control tabs. If these inspections are not done, excessive free-play in the elevator control tabs could develop. This condition could lead to loss of tab control linkage and severe elevator flutter. Such elevator flutter could lead to possible loss of control.

This AD supersedes AD 2011-05-02, Amendment 39-16611 (76 FR 10220, February 24, 2011).