Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Airplanes, 44511-44513 [2012-18461]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 146 / Monday, July 30, 2012 / Proposed Rules
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 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, 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);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
Alaska to the extent that it justifies
making a regulatory distinction; and
4. 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 an economic 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, Incorporation by Reference,
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
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
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 FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter): Docket No.
FAA–2012–0795; Directorate Identifier
2008–SW–53–AD.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:37 Jul 27, 2012
Jkt 226001
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter Model
AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters with a main
rotor head (MRH), part number (P/N)
332A31–0001–05 or P/N 332A31–0001–06,
with a serial number (S/N) M172, M216,
M261, M308, M547, M561, M677, M811,
M859, M935, M936, M938, or M942
installed; having less than 275 hours time-inservice (TIS) since the last overhaul of the
MRH; certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as
deterioration of the MRH swash-plate upper
bearing (bearing), which could result in
overloading the scissor links which drive the
main rotor system, failure of the scissors
links, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
(c) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each
action required by this AD within the
specified compliance time unless it has
already been accomplished prior to that time.
(d) Required Actions
Within 5 hours TIS:
(1) Inspect the MRH bearing for a nonsmooth point (friction point) by rotating the
MRH swash-plate and:
(i) If there is a friction point in the bearing,
before further flight, replace the MRH with
an airworthy MRH.
(ii) If there is not a friction point in the
bearing, lubricate the MRH swash-plate and
rotate it until grease is expelled; inspect the
expelled grease for metal particles.
(A) If there is a metal particle in the grease,
before further flight, replace the MRH with
an airworthy MRH.
(B) If there is not a metal particle in the
grease, measure the force required to rotate
the MRH swash-plate using a spring scale
attached to the pitch change rod attachment
yokes.
(1) If the force to rotate the MRH swashplate is equal to or greater than 5.5 kg, before
further flight, replace the MRH with an
airworthy MRH.
(2) If the force to rotate the MRH swashplate is less than 5.5 kg, inspect the MRH
swash-plate assembly for vertical play in the
bearing. If there is vertical play in the
bearing, before further flight, replace the
MRH with an airworthy MRH.
(2) Before installing an MRH, P/N 332A31–
0001–05 or P/N 332A31–001–06, with S/N
M172, M216, M261, M308, M547, M561,
M677, M811, M859, M935, M936, M938, or
M942 on any helicopter, inspect the MRH in
accordance with paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOC)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: Gary Roach,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and
Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email
gary.b.roach@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
44511
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that
you notify your principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office before
operating any aircraft complying with this
AD through an AMOC.
(f) Additional Information
(1) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service
Bulletin, No. 62.00.73, Revision 0, dated
September 8, 2008, which is not incorporated
by reference, contains additional information
about the subject of this AD. For this service
information, contact American Eurocopter
Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, Texas 75053–4005; telephone (800)
232–0323; or at https://www.eurocopter.com.
You may review this service information at
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in
the European Aviation Safety Agency
(France) Emergency AD No. 2008–0172–E,
dated September 9, 2008.
(g) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 6400,Tail Rotor System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 20,
2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–18454 Filed 7–27–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2012–0798; Directorate
Identifier 2012–CE–023–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alpha
Aviation Concept Limited Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for Alpha
Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160
Airplanes. This proposed AD results
from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated 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 possible installation of
non-conforming air filter elements that
are not fitted with metallic mesh and
could internally collapse resulting in
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\30JYP1.SGM
30JYP1
44512
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 146 / Monday, July 30, 2012 / Proposed Rules
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
disruption of the powerplant operation.
We are issuing this proposed AD to
require actions to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by September 13,
2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Alpha
Aviation, 59 Hautapu Road, RD 1,
Cambridge 3493, New Zealand;
telephone: +64 7 827 0528; fax: +64 7
929 2878; Internet:
www.alphaaviation.co.nz. You may
review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call (816) 329–4148.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.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) 647–5527) 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; email:
karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:37 Jul 27, 2012
Jkt 226001
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2012–0798; Directorate Identifier
2012–CE–023–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://
regulations.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 (CAA),
which is the aviation authority for New
Zealand, has issued DCA/R2000/41,
dated June 8, 2012 (referred to after this
as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products.
The MCAI states:
This emergency AD with the effective date
11 June 2012 is prompted by a report from
EASA of finding a non conforming air filter
fitted to an overseas aircraft during
maintenance. Investigation revealed that air
filters with P/N 57.34.00.010 supplied by
CEAPR between June 2009 and April 2012
may not have the metallic mesh inside the
filter. This AD mandates an inspection of air
filters with P/N 57.34.00.010 to determine if
a metallic mesh is fitted.
Relevant Service Information
Alpha Aviation has issued Service
Bulletin AA–SB–71–006, dated May
2012. 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
will affect 10 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take
about .5 work-hour per product to
comply with the basic requirements of
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
this proposed AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate
the cost of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be $425, or 42.50 per
product.
In addition, we estimate that any
necessary follow-on actions would take
about .5 work-hour and require parts
costing $100 for a cost of $142.50 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
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 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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
E:\FR\FM\30JYP1.SGM
30JYP1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 146 / Monday, July 30, 2012 / Proposed Rules
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
depicted in Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin
AA–SB–71–006, dated May 2012.
(g) Other FAA AD Provisions
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 FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new AD:
Alpha Aviation Concept Limited: Docket No.
FAA–2012–0798; Directorate Identifier
2012–CE–023–AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September
13, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Alpha Aviation
Concept Limited Model R2160 airplanes, all
serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America
(ATA) Code 71, Power Plant.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of
possible installation of non-conforming air
filter elements that are not fitted with
metallic mesh and could internally collapse
resulting in disruption of the powerplant
operation. We are issuing this proposed AD
to inspect the air filter element and replace
if applicable.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following
actions following Alpha Aviation Service
Bulletin AA–SB–71–006, dated May 2012:
(1) Within the next 30 days time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD,
inspect the air filter part number (P/N)
57.34.00.010 to determine if it has been fitted
with a perforated metal liner.
(2) If, after the inspection required in
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, the air filter part
number (P/N) 57.34.00.010 is found to
include the perforated metal liner, no further
action is required.
(3) If, after the inspection required in
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, the air filter is
found to not contain the perforated metal
liner, before further flight, replace the air
filter with a new air filter P/N 57.34.00.010
that does contain the perforated metal liner.
(4) After the effective date of this AD, do
not install any air filter P/N 57.34.00.010 that
does not have the perforated metal liner
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:37 Jul 27, 2012
Jkt 226001
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested using the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
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; email: karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov.
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, a federal
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a
person is not required to respond to, nor
shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of
information subject to the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that
collection of information displays a current
valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information
collection is 2120–0056. Public reporting for
this collection of information is estimated to
be approximately 5 minutes per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions,
completing and reviewing the collection of
information. All responses to this collection
of information are mandatory. Comments
concerning the accuracy of this burden and
suggestions for reducing the burden should
be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer,
AES–200.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI DCA/R2000/41 issued by
the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is
the aviation authority for New Zealand, dated
June 8, 2012; and Alpha Aviation Service
Bulletin AA–SB–71–006, dated May 2012, for
related information. For service information
related to this AD, contact Alpha Aviation,
59 Hautapu Road, RD 1, Cambridge 3493,
New Zealand; telephone: +64 7 827 0528; fax:
+64 7 929 2878; Internet:
www.alphaaviation.co.nz. You may review
copies of the referenced service information
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (816) 329–4148.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
44513
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 24,
2012.
James Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–18461 Filed 7–27–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2012–0794; Directorate
Identifier 2006–SW–04–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter
France Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model
AS350B3 and EC130B4 helicopters.
This proposed AD would require
revising the Limitations section of the
Rotorcraft flight Manual (RFM) to
reduce the starter generator operating
current to 180 amperes (amps) and
installing a placard in the instrument
panel indicating the revised limitation.
This proposed AD is prompted by the
determination that the manufacturerinstalled Aircraft Parts Corporation
(APC) starter generator has exceeded the
shaft horse power extractions allowed
for Turbomeca engines. The proposed
actions are intended to prevent the
engine surge margin being reduced,
which can result in engine failure.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by September 28,
2012.
SUMMARY:
You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: Send comments to the U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the
‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket: You may
examine the AD docket on the Internet
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\30JYP1.SGM
30JYP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44511-44513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18461]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0798; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-023-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Concept Limited
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
Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160 Airplanes. This proposed AD
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated 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 possible installation of non-conforming air
filter elements that are not fitted with metallic mesh and could
internally collapse resulting in
[[Page 44512]]
disruption of the powerplant operation. We are issuing this proposed AD
to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 13,
2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Alpha Aviation, 59 Hautapu Road, RD 1, Cambridge 3493, New Zealand;
telephone: +64 7 827 0528; fax: +64 7 929 2878; Internet:
www.alphaaviation.co.nz. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.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) 647-5527) 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; email:
karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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-2012-0798;
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-023-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://regulations.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 (CAA), which is the aviation authority
for New Zealand, has issued DCA/R2000/41, dated June 8, 2012 (referred
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
This emergency AD with the effective date 11 June 2012 is
prompted by a report from EASA of finding a non conforming air
filter fitted to an overseas aircraft during maintenance.
Investigation revealed that air filters with P/N 57.34.00.010
supplied by CEAPR between June 2009 and April 2012 may not have the
metallic mesh inside the filter. This AD mandates an inspection of
air filters with P/N 57.34.00.010 to determine if a metallic mesh is
fitted.
Relevant Service Information
Alpha Aviation has issued Service Bulletin AA-SB-71-006, dated May
2012. 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 10 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about .5 work-hour per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $425, or 42.50 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about .5 work-hour and require parts costing $100 for a cost of
$142.50 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 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 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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
[[Page 44513]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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 Concept Limited: Docket No. FAA-2012-0798;
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-023-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September 13, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 71, Power Plant.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of possible installation of non-
conforming air filter elements that are not fitted with metallic
mesh and could internally collapse resulting in disruption of the
powerplant operation. We are issuing this proposed AD to inspect the
air filter element and replace if applicable.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions following Alpha
Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-71-006, dated May 2012:
(1) Within the next 30 days time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD, inspect the air filter part number (P/N)
57.34.00.010 to determine if it has been fitted with a perforated
metal liner.
(2) If, after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD, the air filter part number (P/N) 57.34.00.010 is found to
include the perforated metal liner, no further action is required.
(3) If, after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD, the air filter is found to not contain the perforated metal
liner, before further flight, replace the air filter with a new air
filter P/N 57.34.00.010 that does contain the perforated metal
liner.
(4) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any air
filter P/N 57.34.00.010 that does not have the perforated metal
liner depicted in Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-71-006,
dated May 2012.
(g) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send
information to 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;
email: karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov. 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, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI DCA/R2000/41 issued by the Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority for New Zealand,
dated June 8, 2012; and Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-71-
006, dated May 2012, for related information. For service
information related to this AD, contact Alpha Aviation, 59 Hautapu
Road, RD 1, Cambridge 3493, New Zealand; telephone: +64 7 827 0528;
fax: +64 7 929 2878; Internet: www.alphaaviation.co.nz. You may
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (816) 329-4148.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 24, 2012.
James Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-18461 Filed 7-27-12; 8:45 am]
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