Airworthiness Directives; Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation Models 690, 690A, and 690B Airplanes, 13558-13560 [E6-3798]
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[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 51 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 13558-13560] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: E6-3798] [[Page 13558]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2006-23785; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation Models 690, 690A, and 690B Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation (Twin Commander) Models 690, 690A, and 690B airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect, visually and using fluorescent dye penetrant, the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings for cracks and replace any cracked support structure. This proposed AD would require you to reinforce the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings. This proposed AD results from reports that cracks were found in the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct cracks in the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings, which could result in aileron failure. This failure could lead to reduced controllability or loss of control of the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 16, 2006. ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this proposed AD:DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically. Government-wide rulemaking web site: Go to https:// www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically. Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590. Fax: 1-202-493-2251. Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Contact Twin Commander Aircraft LLC, 19010 59th Drive, NE., Arlington, WA 98223, telephone: (360) 435-9797; facsimile: (360) 435- 1112, for the service information identified in this proposed AD. You may examine the comments on this proposed AD in the AD docket on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vince Massey, Aerospace Engineer, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98055-4056; telephone: (425) 917-6475; facsimile: (425) 917-6590. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the docket number, ``FAA-2006-23785; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD in light of those comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https:// dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Using the search function of the DOT docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit https://dms.dot.gov. Examining the Dockets You may examine the docket that contains the proposal, any comments received and any final disposition on the Internet at https:// dms.dot.gov, or in person at the DOT Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management Facility receives them. Discussion The FAA has received reports that cracks were found in the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings on Twin Commander Models 690, 690A, and 690B airplanes. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in failure of the aileron. This failure could lead to reduced controllability or loss of control of the airplane. Relevant Service Information We have reviewed Twin Commander Aircraft LLC Alert Service Bulletin 236A and Alert Service Bulletin 238, both dated December 21, 2004. The service information describes procedures for: Inspecting, visually and using fluorescent dye penetrant, the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings for cracks; Replacing cracked support structures; and Reinforcing the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings. FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD We are proposing this AD to address an unsafe condition that we determined is likely to exist or develop on other products of this same type design. This proposed AD would require you to inspect, visually and using fluorescent dye penetrant, the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings for cracks and replace any cracked support structure. This proposed AD would require you to reinforce the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings. This proposed AD would require you to use the service information described previously to perform these actions. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD affects 275 airplanes in the U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection of the support structures of the inboard aileron hinge fittings on both wings: [[Page 13559]] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total cost for Labor cost Parts cost each airplane Total cost on U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 work hours x $80 an hour = Not applicable.... $800 $800 x 275 = $220,000. $800. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection of the support structure of the center aileron hinge fittings on both wings: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total cost for Labor cost Parts cost each airplane Total cost on U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 work hours x $80 an hour = Not applicable.... $960 $960 x 275 = $264,000. $960. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We estimate the following costs to do the proposed reinforcements to the support structures of the inboard aileron hinge fittings on both wings: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total cost for each Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 work hours x $80 an hour = $1,526 $2,000 + $1,526 = $3,526 x 275 = $969,650. $2,000. $3,526. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We estimate the following costs to do the proposed reinforcement of the support structure of the center aileron hinge fittings on both wings: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total cost for each Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50 work hours x $80 an hour = $551 $4,000 + $551 = $4,551 x 275 = $1,251,525. $4,000. $4,551. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We estimate the following costs to do any proposed replacements of the support structures for the inboard aileron hinge fittings on both wings that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need this replacement: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Labor cost Parts cost Total cost for each airplane ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 62 work hours x $80 an hour = $4,960..... $2,320 $4,960 + $2,320 = $7,280. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We estimate the following costs to do any proposed replacements of support structure for the center aileron hinge fittings on both wings that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need this replacement: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Labor cost Parts cost Total cost for each airplane ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 176 work hours x $80 an hour = $14,080... $3,330 $14,080 + $3,330 = $17,410. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Authority for This Rulemaking Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority. We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, section 44701, ``General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. Regulatory Findings We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed regulation: 1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and 3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety. [[Page 13560]] The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2006-23785; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD. Comment Due Date (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive comments on this proposed AD action by May 16, 2006. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD affects Models 690, 690A, and 690B airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category. Unsafe Condition (d) This AD results from reports of cracks found in the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct cracks in the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings, which could result in aileron failure. This failure could lead to reduced controllability or loss of control of the airplane. Compliance (e) To address this problem, you must do the following: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Actions Compliance Procedures ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Inspect, visually and Within the next 150 Follow Twin using fluorescent dye hours time-in- Commander Aircraft penetrant, the support service (TIS) or 12 LLC Alert Service structures for the inboard months after the Bulletin 236A and and center aileron hinge effective date of Alert Service fittings on both wings for this AD, whichever Bulletin 238, both cracks. occurs first. dated December 21, 2004, as applicable. (2) If you do not find Before further Follow Twin cracks during the flight after the Commander Aircraft inspection required in inspection required LLC Alert Service paragraph (e)(1) of this in paragraph (e)(1) Bulletin 236A and AD, reinforce the support of this AD. After Alert Service structures for the inboard the reinforcement Bulletin 238, both and center aileron hinge is done, no further dated December 21, fittings on both wings that action is required. 2004, as are crack free. applicable. (3) If you find cracks Before further Follow Twin during the inspection flight after the Commander Aircraft required in paragraph inspection required LLC Alert Service (e)(1) of this AD, replace in paragraph (e)(1) Bulletin 236A and and reinforce the cracked of this AD. After Alert Service support structure. doing the Bulletin 238, both replacement and dated December 21, reinforcement, no 2004, as further action is applicable. required. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (f) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, ATTN: Vince Massey, Aerospace Engineer, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98055-4056; telephone: (425) 917-6475; fax: (425) 917-6590, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (g) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, contact Twin Commander Aircraft LLC, 19010 59th Drive NE, Arlington, WA 98223, telephone: (360) 435-9797; facsimile: (360) 435-1112. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at https:// dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2006-23785; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 10, 2006. Kim Smith, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-3798 Filed 3-15-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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