Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14629 · Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7 Airplanes
Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7 Airplanes
This AD applies to Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7-1, DHC-7-100, DHC-7-101, DHC-7-102, and DHC-7-103 airplanes, certificated in any category; except airplanes having serial numbers 3 through 10 inclusive, 12 through 14 inclusive, and 16 through 27 inclusive.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7 airplanes. This AD requires revising the FAA-approved Airworthiness Limitations section of the airplane maintenance manual to prohibit operation of the airplane past its designed life limit for the primary structure, which is 80,000 total flight cycles. This AD also requires contacting the FAA for approval of analysis that substantiates that the airplane is safe to continue operation beyond the designed life limit. This AD results from a report that the designed life limit for the primary structure for the affected airplanes is 80,000 total flight cycles. We are issuing this AD to prevent continued operation of an airplane beyond its designed life limit for the primary structure, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the FAA-approved Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the Bombardier DHC-7 Dash 7 maintenance manual and the Dash 7 Series 150 maintenance manual to state the following (this may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the ALS). Thereafter, maintain the airplane in accordance with the limitations specified in these maintenance manual revisions:
“Do not operate the airplane beyond 80,000 total flight cycles.”
(g) When the statement specified in paragraph (f) of this AD has been included in the general revisions of the ALS, the general revisions may be incorporated into the ALS and the copy of the AD may be removed from the ALS.
(h) The airworthiness limitation specified in paragraph (f) of this AD may be removed from the maintenance manuals specified in paragraph (f) of this AD after the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, approves analysis that substantiates continued safe operation beyond the designed life limit of 80,000 total flight cycles.
