Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Design Limited (Type Certificate No. A48EU previously held by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS PIERRE ROBIN) Model R2160 Airplanes, 5364-5366 [E7-1873]
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5364
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 6, 2007 / Proposed Rules
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 and placed it in the
AD docket. 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.
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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2007–27154;
Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–139–AD.
rmajette on PROD1PC67 with PROPOSALS
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by March 8, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model
A310 airplanes, Model A300 B4–601, B4–
603, B4–620, and B4–622 airplanes, Model
A300 B4–605R and B4–622R airplanes,
Model A300 F4–605R and F4–622R
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11:52 Feb 05, 2007
Jkt 211001
airplanes, and Model A300 C4–605R Variant
F airplanes, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to
certain operator maintenance documents to
include new inspections. Compliance with
these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c).
For airplanes that have been previously
modified, altered, or repaired in the areas
addressed by these inspections, the operator
may not be able to accomplish the
inspections described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c),
the operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance according
to paragraph (g) of this AD. The request
should include a description of changes to
the required inspections that will ensure the
continued damage tolerance of the affected
structure. The FAA has provided guidance
for this determination in Advisory Circular
(AC) 25.1529–1.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from the manufacturer
determining that additional and revised
certification maintenance requirements are
necessary in order to ensure continued
operational safety of the affected airplanes.
We are issuing this AD to prevent safetysignificant latent failures that would, in
combination with one or more other specific
failures or events, result in a hazardous or
catastrophic failure condition of avionics,
hydraulic systems, fire detection systems,
fuel systems, or other critical systems.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Revise the Airworthiness Limitations
Section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness
(f) Within three months after the effective
date of this AD, revise the Airworthiness
Limitations section of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness by incorporating
Airbus A300–600 Certification Maintenance
Requirements (CMRs) AI/ST5/829/85, Issue
12, dated February 2005 (for Model A310
airplanes); or Airbus A310 CMR AI/ST5/849/
85, Issue 12, dated February 2005 (for Model
A300 B4–601, B4–603, B4–620, and B4–622
airplanes, Model A300 B4–605R and B4–
622R airplanes, Model A300 F4–605R and
F4–622R airplanes, and Model A300 C4–
605R Variant F airplanes); as applicable.
Accomplish the actions specified in the
applicable CMRs at the times specified in the
applicable CMRs. The actions must be
accomplished in accordance with the
applicable CMRs.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
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Frm 00017
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
Related Information
(h) French airworthiness directive F–2005–
123, dated July 20, 2005, also addresses the
subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January
29, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–1872 Filed 2–5–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2006–26494; Directorate
Identifier 2006–CE–79–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alpha
Aviation Design Limited (Type
Certificate No. A48EU previously held
by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS PIERRE
ROBIN) Model R2160 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed
AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued 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:
* * * unchecked corrosion developing on
the wing spars due to access for inspections
being difficult under normal maintenance
practices, which could lead to an unsafe
condition and possibly a failure of the wing.
The proposed AD would require
actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by March 8, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
E:\FR\FM\06FEP1.SGM
06FEP1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 6, 2007 / Proposed Rules
• 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.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this
proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other
information. The street address for the
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647–
5227) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl
Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
telephone: (816) 329–4146; fax: (816)
329–4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
rmajette on PROD1PC67 with PROPOSALS
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new
process for streamlining the issuance of
ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined
process will allow us to adopt MCAI
safety requirements in a more efficient
manner and will reduce safety risks to
the public. This process continues to
follow all FAA AD issuance processes to
meet legal, economic, Administrative
Procedure Act, and Federal Register
requirements. We also continue to meet
our technical decision-making
responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated
products.
This proposed AD references the
MCAI and related service information
that we considered in forming the
engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The proposed AD contains
text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain
language principles.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2006–26494; Directorate Identifier
2006–CE–79–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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
11:52 Feb 05, 2007
Jkt 211001
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD because 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 we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority of New
Zealand, which is the airworthiness
authority for New Zealand, has issued
AD DCA/R2000/37, dated September 28,
2006 (referred to after this as ‘‘the
MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition
for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
* * * unchecked corrosion developing on
the wing spars due to access for inspections
being difficult under normal maintenance
practices, which could lead to an unsafe
condition and possibly a failure of the wing,
remove the main landing gear legs and all the
wing inspection panels per the instructions
in the aircraft Maintenance Manual.
The MCAI Requires:
Inspect the visible parts of the spar web,
the front face of the spar and the upper and
lower boom angle per Avions Pierre Robin
Service Letter No. 19 and Service Bulletin
No. 99.
It may be necessary to cut inspection holes
or remove the wings to achieve this.
Inspection holes must be prepared to a
manufacturer approved repair scheme
(approved by FAA).
If corrosion is found, treat per SL No. 19
and SB No. 99 before further flight.
If corrosion is found that exceeds the limits
specified in Service Letter No. 19, repair per
a manufacturer approved repair scheme
before further flight.
You may obtain further information
by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
AVIONS PIERRE ROBIN (recent type
certificate responsibility was with APEX
Aircraft and current responsibility with
Alpha Aviation Design Limited) issued
Avions Pierre Robin Service Letter No.
19, dated October 1980, and Avions
Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 99,
dated June 24, 1983. The actions
described in this service information are
intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by
the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with this State of
Design Authority, they have notified us
of the unsafe condition described in the
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Frm 00018
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
5365
MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are proposing this
AD because we evaluated all
information and determined the unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and
related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But
we might have found it necessary to use
different words from those in the MCAI
to ensure the AD is clear for U.S.
operators and is enforceable. In making
these changes, we do not intend to differ
substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related
service information.
We might also have proposed
different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA
policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a note within the
proposed AD. These requirements, if
ultimately adopted, will take
precedence over the actions copied from
the MCAI.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we
estimate that this proposed AD would
affect about 10 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take
about 28 work-hours per product to
comply with the proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate
the cost of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be $22,400, or $2,240 per
product.
We have no way of determining the
number of products that may need any
necessary follow-on actions. Since the
corrosion damage would vary from
airplane to airplane, we are not able to
estimate the costs of each follow-on
action.
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
E:\FR\FM\06FEP1.SGM
06FEP1
5366
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 6, 2007 / Proposed Rules
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 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 this 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 and placed it in the
AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America
(ATA) Code 57: Wings.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
* * * unchecked corrosion developing on
the wing spars due to access for inspections
being difficult under normal maintenance
practices, which could lead to an unsafe
condition and possibly a failure of the wing.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following
actions within 66 months after aircraft date
of manufacture or within 6 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, unless already done within the last 24
months, and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 24 months. Accomplishment of
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2005–0028 satisfies the requirement of this
AD. If the spars are replaced, the inspections
at intervals of 24 months must be resumed
within 60 months from the date of
replacement:
(1) Inspect the visible parts of the spar web,
the front face of the spar, and the upper and
lower boom angle following Avions Pierre
Robin Service Letter No. 19, dated October
1980, and Avions Pierre Robin Service
Bulletin No. 99, dated June 24, 1983.
(2) If corrosion is found as a result of the
inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of
this AD that does not exceed the limits in the
service bulletins, before further flight, treat
the corrosion following Avions Pierre Robin
Service Letter No. 19, dated October 1980,
and Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No.
99, dated June 24, 1983.
(3) If corrosion is found as a result of the
inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of
this AD that does exceed the limits specified
in Avions Pierre Robin Service Letter No. 19,
dated October 1980, before further flight,
repair following a manufacturer approved
repair scheme.
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
FAA AD Differences
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/
or service information as follows: No
differences.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new AD:
Alpha Aviation Design Limited (Type
Certificate No. A48EU previously held
by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS PIERRE
ROBIN): Docket No. FAA–2006–26494;
Directorate Identifier 2006–CE–79–AD
rmajette on PROD1PC67 with PROPOSALS
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by March 8,
2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model R2160
airplanes, serial numbers 001 through 378,
certificated in any category.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
11:52 Feb 05, 2007
Jkt 211001
Other FAA AD Provisions
(f) The following provisions also apply to
this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Staff,
FAA, ATTN: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329–4146; fax: (816)
329–4090, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(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.
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Frm 00019
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any
reporting requirement in this AD, under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved the information collection
requirements and has assigned OMB Control
Number 2120–0056.
Related Information
(g) Refer to MCAI New Zealand Civil
Aviation Authority AD DCA/R2000/37, dated
September 28, 2006, and Avions Pierre Robin
Service Letter No. 19, dated October 1980;
and Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No.
99, dated June 24, 1983, for related
information.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January
31, 2007.
Margaret Kline,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–1873 Filed 2–5–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 121, 125, and 135
[Docket No. FAA–2006–26135; Notice No.
06–16]
RIN 2120–AI79
Filtered Flight Data
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM); extension of comment period.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This action extends the
comment period for an NPRM published
on November 15, 2006. In that
document, the FAA proposed to amend
the digital flight data recorder
regulations by prohibiting the filtering
of some original parameter sensor
signals. This extension is a result of a
request from The Boeing Company to
extend the comment period for the
NPRM.
Send your comments on the
NPRM on or before April 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments on
the NPRM or this extension [identified
by Docket Number 2006–26135] using
any of the following methods:
• 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
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\06FEP1.SGM
06FEP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 6, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5364-5366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1873]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26494; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-79-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Design Limited (Type
Certificate No. A48EU previously held by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS
PIERRE ROBIN) Model R2160 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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:
* * * unchecked corrosion developing on the wing spars due to access
for inspections being difficult under normal maintenance practices,
which could lead to an unsafe condition and possibly a failure of
the wing.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 8, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
[[Page 5365]]
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.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language
principles.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
26494; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-79-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 because 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 we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, which is the
airworthiness authority for New Zealand, has issued AD DCA/R2000/37,
dated September 28, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
* * * unchecked corrosion developing on the wing spars due to access
for inspections being difficult under normal maintenance practices,
which could lead to an unsafe condition and possibly a failure of
the wing, remove the main landing gear legs and all the wing
inspection panels per the instructions in the aircraft Maintenance
Manual.
The MCAI Requires:
Inspect the visible parts of the spar web, the front face of the
spar and the upper and lower boom angle per Avions Pierre Robin
Service Letter No. 19 and Service Bulletin No. 99.
It may be necessary to cut inspection holes or remove the wings
to achieve this. Inspection holes must be prepared to a manufacturer
approved repair scheme (approved by FAA).
If corrosion is found, treat per SL No. 19 and SB No. 99 before
further flight.
If corrosion is found that exceeds the limits specified in
Service Letter No. 19, repair per a manufacturer approved repair
scheme before further flight.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
AVIONS PIERRE ROBIN (recent type certificate responsibility was
with APEX Aircraft and current responsibility with Alpha Aviation
Design Limited) issued Avions Pierre Robin Service Letter No. 19, dated
October 1980, and Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 99, dated
June 24, 1983. The actions described in this service information are
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a note within the proposed AD. These requirements, if
ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the actions copied from
the MCAI.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 10 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 28 work-hours per product to comply with the
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $22,400, or $2,240 per product.
We have no way of determining the number of products that may need
any necessary follow-on actions. Since the corrosion damage would vary
from airplane to airplane, we are not able to estimate the costs of
each follow-on action.
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
[[Page 5366]]
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 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 this 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 and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
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:
Alpha Aviation Design Limited (Type Certificate No. A48EU previously
held by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS PIERRE ROBIN): Docket No. FAA-2006-
26494; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-79-AD
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by March 8, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model R2160 airplanes, serial numbers 001
through 378, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
* * * unchecked corrosion developing on the wing spars due to access
for inspections being difficult under normal maintenance practices,
which could lead to an unsafe condition and possibly a failure of
the wing.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions within 66
months after aircraft date of manufacture or within 6 months after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless
already done within the last 24 months, and thereafter at intervals
not to exceed 24 months. Accomplishment of European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD 2005-0028 satisfies the requirement of this AD. If
the spars are replaced, the inspections at intervals of 24 months
must be resumed within 60 months from the date of replacement:
(1) Inspect the visible parts of the spar web, the front face of
the spar, and the upper and lower boom angle following Avions Pierre
Robin Service Letter No. 19, dated October 1980, and Avions Pierre
Robin Service Bulletin No. 99, dated June 24, 1983.
(2) If corrosion is found as a result of the inspection required
by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD that does not exceed the limits in
the service bulletins, before further flight, treat the corrosion
following Avions Pierre Robin Service Letter No. 19, dated October
1980, and Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 99, dated June
24, 1983.
(3) If corrosion is found as a result of the inspection required
by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD that does exceed the limits specified
in Avions Pierre Robin Service Letter No. 19, dated October 1980,
before further flight, repair following a manufacturer approved
repair scheme.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(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, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Related Information
(g) Refer to MCAI New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority AD DCA/
R2000/37, dated September 28, 2006, and Avions Pierre Robin Service
Letter No. 19, dated October 1980; and Avions Pierre Robin Service
Bulletin No. 99, dated June 24, 1983, for related information.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 31, 2007.
Margaret Kline,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-1873 Filed 2-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
