AD 2015-24-02 Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Airplanes

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

Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(4) of this AD: (1) Within 30 days after January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), determine the accumulated wing flight cycles or wing flight hours for each wing by contacting Technical Support at Viking Air Limited. You can find contact information for Viking Air Limited in paragraph (i) of this AD. (2) Within 30 days after January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), determine all installed supplemental type certificates (STC) or modifications affecting the wings. Based on the accumulated air time determined from paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and before the initial inspection required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, install access panels as follows: (i) If the airplane is free of STCs or any other modifications affecting the wings, install additional inspection access panels following the Accomplishment Instructions Part A of Viking DHC-3 Otter Service Bulletin No. V3/0002, Revision “C”, dated April 30, 2014. (ii) If the airplane is fitted with STC SA2009NY (which can be found on the internet at: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/F7309B7D9B008C588625734F00730144?OpenDocument&Highlight=sa02009ny ), incorporate additional inspection access panels following the Accomplishment Instructions of Viking Air Limited SB 3-STC (03-50)-001, Revision “NC”, dated July 3, 2013. Note 1 to paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this AD: STC SA03-50 would be the Canadian equivalent of the United States (FAA) STC SA2009NY. (iii) If there are other STCs or modifications affecting the wings the operator must contact the FAA to request an FAA-approved alternative method of compliance using the procedures in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD and 14 CFR 39.19. To develop these procedures, we recommend you contact the STC holder for guidance in developing substantiating data. (3) Based on the accumulated air time on the wings determined in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, perform initial and repetitive borescope and visual inspections of both the left-hand and right-hand wing box following Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of Viking DHC-3 Otter Service Bulletin V3/0002, Revision “C”, dated April 30, 2014, using the inspection schedules specified in Table 1 of paragraph (f)(3) of this AD: Table 1 of Paragraph ( f )(3) of This AD—Inspection Schedule Effectivity Initial inspection Repetitive inspection If Viking Air Limited SB V3/0002, Revision “A”, dated February 22, 2013; or Viking Air Limited SB V3/0002, Revision “B”, dated July 3, 2013; were complied with prior to January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD) The initial inspection is not required since the inspection was accomplished while complying with Revision “A” or “B” of Viking Air Limited SB V3/0002 Repetitively inspect not to exceed every 1,600 wing flight hours accumulated after the last inspection or 2,100 wing flight cycles after the last inspection, whichever occurs first. If, as of January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), the airplane has less than 31,200 wing flight hours Inspect within 800 wing flight hours after January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), or within 6 months January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first Repetitively inspect not to exceed every 1,600 wing flight hours accumulated after the last inspection or 2,100 wing flight cycles after the last inspection, whichever occurs first. If, as of January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), the airplane has 31,200 wing flight hours or more but less than 31,600 wing flight hours Inspect upon or before accumulating 32,000 wing flight hours or within 6 months after January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first Repetitively inspect not to exceed every 1,600 wing flight hours accumulated after the last inspection or 2,100 wing flight cycles after the last inspection, whichever occurs first. If, as of January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), the airplane has 31,600 wing flight hours or more Inspect within 400 wing flight hours accumulated after January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD) or 3 months after January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first Repetitively inspect not to exceed every 1,600 wing flight hours accumulated after the last inspection or 2,100 wing flight cycles after the last inspection, whichever occurs first. (4) If any cracks are found, contact Technical Support at Viking Air Limited for an FAA-approved repair and incorporate the repair before further flight. You can find contact information for Viking Air Limited in paragraph (i) of this AD. The FAA-approved repair must specifically reference this AD.

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: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Safety Engineer, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Steward Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: (516) 228-7329; fax: (516) 794-5531; email: aziz.ahmed@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) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as corrugation cracking found at various wing stations and on the main spar lower cap. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect cracking and correct as necessary to address the unsafe condition on these products.

None.