Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16709 · Placards and markings

AD 2011-12-02

Viking Air Limited Model DHC-3 (Otter) Airplanes

Airplane

Published: June 2, 2011
Effective: June 2, 2011
Maker: Viking Aircraft Limited
Supersedes: Nothing

Applies to

This AD applies to Viking Aircraft Limited Model DHC-3 (Otter) airplanes, all serial numbers, that are:

(1) equipped with a Honeywell TPE331-10 or -12JR turboprop engine installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA09866SC (Texas Turbines Conversions, Inc.); and

(2) certificated in any category.

The FAA's summary

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that are equipped with a Honeywell TPE331-10 or - 12JR turboprop engine installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA09866SC. This AD requires incorporating revised airspeed limitations and marking the airspeed indicator accordingly. There is also a requirement for the installation of a temporary placard until the airspeed indicator can be modified but not to exceed a certain period of time. This AD was prompted by analysis that showed that airspeed limitations for the affected airplanes are not adjusted for the installation of a turboprop engine as stated in the regulations. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of airplane structural integrity due to the affected airplanes being able to operate at speeds that exceed the speeds established in the Federal aviation regulations for safe operation.

What it requires

Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

Table 1—Actions, Compliance, and Procedures

Actions	Compliance
(1) Insert the following information into the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) or AFM supplement: “Airspeed limitation: VMO = 144 MPH for land/ski plane and VMO = 134 MPH for seaplane.”	Before further flight after the effective date of this AD.
(i) This can be done by inserting this AD into the Limitations section of the AFM or AFM supplement.
(ii) Inserting the information into the Limitations section of the AFM or AFM supplement may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR §§ 43.9 (a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR §§ 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(2) Fabricate a placard using letters of at least 1/8 -inch in height with the following words: “Never exceed airspeed of 144 MPH, VMO speed limit for land/ski plane and 134 MPH, VMO speed limit for seaplane.” Install this placard on the airplane instrument panel next to the airspeed indicator within the pilot's clear view.	Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD.
(3) Modify the airspeed indicator accordingly to reflect the above limitation. Mark the airspeed indicator with a red radial line at 144 MPH for a land/ski plane and/or with a red radial at 134 MPH for a seaplane. This instrument modification must be done by an appropriately rated repair facility.	Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(i) This action eliminates the need for the placard required by paragraph (f)(2) above.
(ii) This action can be done instead of the placard requirement in paragraph (f)(2) provided it is done within the next 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

Official sources

The Federal Register document · document 2011-13532, the legal text
FAA Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) · search 2011-12-02 for its current status and any corrections

Actions

Compliance

(1) Insert the following information into the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) or AFM supplement: “Airspeed limitation: VMO = 144 MPH for land/ski plane and VMO = 134 MPH for seaplane.”

Before further flight after the effective date of this AD.

(i) This can be done by inserting this AD into the Limitations section of the AFM or AFM supplement.

(ii) Inserting the information into the Limitations section of the AFM or AFM supplement may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR §§ 43.9 (a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR §§ 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(2) Fabricate a placard using letters of at least 1/8 -inch in height with the following words: “Never exceed airspeed of 144 MPH, VMO speed limit for land/ski plane and 134 MPH, VMO speed limit for seaplane.” Install this placard on the airplane instrument panel next to the airspeed indicator within the pilot's clear view.

Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD.

(3) Modify the airspeed indicator accordingly to reflect the above limitation. Mark the airspeed indicator with a red radial line at 144 MPH for a land/ski plane and/or with a red radial at 134 MPH for a seaplane. This instrument modification must be done by an appropriately rated repair facility.

Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

(i) This action eliminates the need for the placard required by paragraph (f)(2) above.

(ii) This action can be done instead of the placard requirement in paragraph (f)(2) provided it is done within the next 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.