Airworthiness Directives; APEX Aircraft Model CAP 10 B Airplanes, 21086-21087 [E7-7994]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 82 (Monday, April 30, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21086-21087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27342 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-014-AD; 
Amendment 39-15037; AD 2007-09-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; APEX Aircraft Model CAP 10 B Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This 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:

    A CAP10B aircraft experienced a reduced elevator deflection by 
about 13[deg] due to an incorrect routing of the Push To Talk (PTT) 
wire bundle and improperly secured connectors which impeded the 
complete and free movement of the control stick.

    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 4, 2007.
    On June 4, 2007 the Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; 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 decisionmaking responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2007 (72 FR 
10624). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A CAP10B aircraft experienced a reduced elevator deflection by 
about 13[deg] due to an incorrect routing of the Push To Talk (PTT) 
wire bundle and improperly secured connectors which impeded the 
complete and free movement of the control stick.
    Actions specified in this AD are intended to inspect, detect and 
correct any discrepancy on the PTT electrical circuit connectors and 
wires that could lead to a reduction of the control stick movements.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This 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 required 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 31 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
AD to the U.S. operators to be $2,480 or $80 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $90, for a cost of 
$330 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products 
that may need these actions.

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

[[Page 21087]]

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 determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-09-05 APEX Aircraft (Type Certificate No. A36EU formerly held 
by AVIONS MUDRY et CIE): Amendment 39-15037; Docket No. FAA-2007-
27342; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-014-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 4, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model CAP 10 B airplanes, serial numbers 
001 through 282, fitted with major change 000302 (wood-carbon 
wings), that are certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    A CAP10B aircraft experienced a reduced elevator deflection by 
about 13[deg] due to an incorrect routing of the Push To Talk (PTT) 
wire bundle and improperly secured connectors which impeded the 
complete and free movement of the control stick.
    Actions specified in this AD are intended to inspect, detect and 
correct any discrepancy on the PTT electrical circuit connectors and 
wires that could lead to a reduction of the control stick movements.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service after June 4, 2007 
(the effective date of this AD), inspect the wire routing for the 
proper location and attachment of the connectors as detailed in the 
accomplishment instructions of APEX Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 050605, dated October 17, 2006.
    (2) Before further flight, if a defect or discrepancy is found 
during the inspection in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, modify the 
wire bundle and connectors routing as detailed in the accomplishment 
instructions of APEX Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 050605, 
dated October 17, 2006.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 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, 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

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD No: 2007-
0014, dated January 12, 2007; and APEX Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 050605, dated October 17, 2006, for related 
information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use APEX Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
050605, dated October 17, 2006, to do the actions required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Apex 
Aircraft, Bureau de Navigabilit[eacute], 1, route de Troyes, 21121 
DAROIS--France; telephone: +33 380 35 65 10; fax +33 380 35 65 15; 
e-mail: airworthiness@apex-aircraft.com; Internet: https://www.apex-
aircraft.com.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-
register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 19, 2007.
Charles L. Smalley,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-7994 Filed 4-27-07; 8:45 am]
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