AD 2014-17-01 Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Airplanes

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

This AD applies to Viking Air Limited Models DHC-3 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2). (1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after September 16, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 90 days after September 16, 2014 (the effective date of the this AD), whichever occurs first, inspect the horizontal stabilizer actuator (trim jack) for movement or defects following the Accomplishment Instructions in Viking Service Bulletin No. V3/0005, Revision `A', dated May 27, 2014. (2) If any movement or defects are found during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, you must contact Viking Air Limited to obtain FAA-approved repair instructions approved specifically for compliance with this AD and incorporate those instructions. You can find contact information for Viking Air Limited in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD. Use the Service Bulletin V3/0005—Operator Reply Form found in Viking Service Bulletin No. V3/0005, Revision `A', dated May 27, 2014, to report details of the inspection findings.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Safety Enginer, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Steward Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7318; fax: (516) 794-5531; email: cesar.gomez@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, 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 was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as looseness of the horizontal stabilizer actuator mounting block in the forward-aft and side-to-side directions. We are issuing this AD to prevent breakage or detachment of the horizontal stabilizer actuator mounting block, which could lead to failure of the horizontal stabilizer with subsequent loss of control.

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