Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes, 41510-41513 [2023-13497]
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41510
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 88, No. 122
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
FINANCIAL STABILITY OVERSIGHT
COUNCIL
12 CFR Part 1310
[Docket No. FSOC–2023–0002]
Authority To Require Supervision and
Regulation of Certain Nonbank
Financial Companies
AGENCY:
Financial Stability Oversight
Proposed interpretive guidance;
extension of comment period.
The Financial Stability
Oversight Council (Council) is
extending by 30 days the comment
period on its proposed interpretive
guidance, which would replace the
Council’s existing interpretive guidance
on nonbank financial company
determinations and which describes the
process the Council intends to take in
determining whether to subject a
nonbank financial company to
supervision and prudential standards by
the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System. The comment period
will now close on July 27, 2023.
DATES: Comment due date: July 27,
2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by either of the following methods. All
submissions must refer to the document
title and docket number FSOC–2023–
0002.
Electronic Submission of Comments:
You may submit comments
electronically through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov. Electronic
submission of comments allows the
commenter maximum time to prepare
and submit a comment, ensures timely
receipt, and enables the Council to make
them available to the public. Comments
submitted electronically through the
https://www.regulations.gov website can
be viewed by other commenters and
interested members of the public.
Commenters should follow the
instructions provided on that site to
submit comments electronically.
SUMMARY:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
Eric
Froman, Office of the General Counsel,
Treasury, at (202) 622–1942; Devin
Mauney, Office of the General Counsel,
Treasury, at (202) 622–2537; or Carol
Rodrigues, Office of the General
Counsel, Treasury, at (202) 622–6127.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Council
ACTION:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Mail: Send comments to Financial
Stability Oversight Council, Attn: Eric
Froman, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue
NW, Room 2308, Washington, DC
20220.
All properly submitted comments will
be available for inspection and
downloading at https://
www.regulations.gov.
In general, comments received,
including attachments and other
supporting materials, are part of the
public record and are available to the
public. Do not submit any information
in your comment or supporting
materials that you consider confidential
or inappropriate for public disclosure.
17:46 Jun 26, 2023
Jkt 259001
On April
28, 2023, at 88 FR 26234 the Council
published in the Federal Register
proposed interpretive guidance
describing the process the Council
intends to take in determining whether
to subject a nonbank financial company
to supervision and prudential standards
by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (Proposed Guidance).
Comments on the Proposed Guidance
were originally due on June 27, 2023.
The Council has received a request to
extend the comment period to allow
interested parties additional time to
review and comment on the Proposed
Guidance. The Council is therefore
extending the comment period on the
Proposed Guidance by 30 days to July
27, 2023.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: June 22, 2023.
Sandra Lee,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Financial
Stability Oversight Council.
[FR Doc. 2023–13648 Filed 6–26–23; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–1218; Project
Identifier MCAI–2022–01025–A]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair
S.p.A. Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Vulcanair S.p.A. Model V1.0
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 identifies the unsafe
condition as corrosion on the lower
fuselage truss. This proposed AD would
require a detailed visual inspection of
the right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH)
lower rear attachments of the fuselage
truss for corrosion, a tactile inspection
of the lower rear attachments for
missing sealant, and a general visual
inspection of the lower fuselage truss
welded pipes for corrosion and the
related rivets for missing stems and,
depending on findings, additional
inspections and actions (including a tap
test) and applicable corrective actions.
The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these
products.
SUMMARY:
The FAA must receive comments
on this NPRM by August 11, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
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: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
DATES:
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 122 / Tuesday, June 27, 2023 / Proposed Rules
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA–2023–1218; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this NPRM, the MCAI, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For service information identified
in this NPRM, contact Vulcanair S.p.A.,
via G. Pascoli, 7, 80026 Casoria (NA),
Italy; phone: +39 081 5918111; email:
info@vulcanair.com; website:
support.vulcanair.com.
• You may view this service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety
Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO
64106. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222–5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
DeLuca, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA,
1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228–
7369; email: john.p.deluca@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2023–1218; Project Identifier
MCAI–2022–01025–A’’ at the beginning
of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of
the proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal
information you provide. The agency
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received
about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:46 Jun 26, 2023
Jkt 259001
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to John DeLuca, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD
2022–0155, dated August 1, 2022
(referred to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to
correct an unsafe condition on certain
serial-numbered Vulcanair S.p.A. Model
V1.0 airplanes.
The MCAI was prompted by reports of
corrosion on the lower fuselage truss on
two Vulcanair Model V1.0 airplanes.
Missing sealant or missing rivet stems
were determined to be the root cause of
corrosion by allowing water ingress into
the lower fuselage truss. In both
reported cases, corrosion was externally
visible, having penetrated the thickness
of the pipes. However, corrosion could
be present inside the pipes and remain
undetected without proper inspection.
This condition, if not detected and
corrected, could result in loss of control
of the airplane.
You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA–2023–1218.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Vulcanair Aircraft
V1 series Service Bulletin VA–22, rev. 0,
dated June 15, 2022 (Vulcanair SB VA–
22). This service information specifies
procedures for inspections of the lower
fuselage truss for corrosion, missing
sealant, and missing rivet stems; and, in
case of findings, additional inspections
and actions to detect corrosion,
including a tap test and raising the
airplane nose. This service information
specifies to contact Vulcanair for
corrective actions.
This service information is reasonably
available because the interested parties
have access to it through their normal
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41511
course of business or by the means
identified in ADDRESSES.
FAA’s Determination
These products have been approved
by the aviation authority of another
country and are approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to the
FAA’s bilateral agreement with this
State of Design Authority, it has notified
the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI and service
information described above. The FAA
is issuing this NPRM after determining
the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop
on other products of the same type
design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
the MCAI, except as discussed under
‘‘Differences Between this Proposed AD
and the MCAI.’’
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the MCAI
Although Vulcanair SB VA–22
specifies that ‘‘in case of doubts, raise
the aircraft nose and audibly detect the
presence of corrosion residues inside
the fuselage truss,’’ this proposed AD
would not require that action.
Paragraph (1) of the MCAI states to
‘‘accomplish a general visual and tactile
inspection of the right-hand (RH) and
left-hand (LH) lower rear attachments of
the fuselage truss’’ in accordance with
the instructions of Part A of Vulcanair
SB VA–22. However, step 14, Part A, of
Vulcanair SB VA–22 specifies to do a
detailed visual inspection. In email
communication between EASA and the
FAA, EASA clarified that this should be
a detailed visual inspection performed
in accordance with the procedures
specified in Vulcanair SB VA–22;
therefore, this proposed AD would
require a detailed visual inspection of
the RH and LH lower rear attachments
of the fuselage truss for corrosion.
The MCAI requires contacting the
manufacturer for approved corrective
action instructions if any corrosion is
found on the lower fuselage truss. This
proposed AD would require contacting
either the Manager, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or
Vulcanair’s EASA Design Organization
Approval (DOA). If approved by the
DOA, the approval must include the
DOA-authorized signature.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 17
airplanes of U.S. registry.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 122 / Tuesday, June 27, 2023 / Proposed Rules
The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per
product
Cost on U.S.
operators
Detailed visual inspection and tactile inspection of the
RH and LH lower rear attachments, and a general
visual inspection of the pipes.
8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680
$0
$680
$11,560
Parts cost
Cost per
product
The FAA estimates the following
costs to do any necessary actions that
would be required based on the results
of the proposed inspections.
ON-CONDITION COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Remove sealant and detailed inspection of inner face of longitudinal tubes connected to lower rear attachments.
Detailed visual inspection and tap test of the lower fuselage
truss pipes.
Installation of plug P/N 5034–011 on RH and LH lower rear attachments.
4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 ..........
$0
$340
4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 ..........
0
340
0.50 work-hour × $85 per hour = $42.50 ...
130
172.50
The corrective action instructions that
may be needed as a result of these
inspections could vary significantly
from airplane to airplane. The FAA has
no data to determine the costs to
accomplish those corrective actions or
the number of airplanes that would
need these corrective actions.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
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.
The FAA is 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.
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) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by August 11,
2023.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by 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
identifies the unsafe condition as corrosion
on the lower fuselage truss. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in loss of control of
the airplane.
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.
Regulatory Findings
§ 39.13
The FAA 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
■
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17:46 Jun 26, 2023
Jkt 259001
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
Vulcanair S.p.A.: Docket No. FAA–2023–
1218; Project Identifier MCAI–2022–
01025–A.
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(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. Model
V1.0 airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 1001
through 1034 inclusive, except S/Ns 1008
and 1019, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code 5311, Fuselage Main, Frame.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 100 hours time-in-service or 12
months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, do a detailed visual
inspection of the right-hand (RH) and lefthand (LH) lower rear attachments of the
fuselage truss for corrosion, a tactile
inspection of the RH and LH lower rear
attachments of the fuselage truss for missing
sealant, a general visual inspection of the
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ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
pipes on the lower fuselage truss for
corrosion, and a general visual inspection of
the pipes on the lower fuselage truss for
rivets with missing stems, in accordance with
steps 13 and 14 of Part A, in Part 2, Work
Procedure, of Vulcanair Aircraft V1 series
Service Bulletin VA–22, rev. 0, dated June
15, 2022 (Vulcanair SB VA–22).
(1) If, during the inspections required by
the introductory text of paragraph (g) of this
AD, no missing sealant and no corrosion of
the LH and RH lower rear attachments are
detected, and no corrosion and no missing
rivet stems of the lower fuselage truss pipes
are detected, before further flight, install part
number (P/N) 5034–011 plugs on both the RH
and LH rear attachments, in accordance with
step 16 of Part A, in Part 2, Work Procedure,
of Vulcanair SB VA–22. After installation of
the plugs, no further action is required by
this AD.
(2) If, during the inspections required by
the introductory text of paragraph (g) of this
AD, corrosion, missing sealant, or missing
rivet stems are detected, before further flight,
do the following as applicable:
(i) If corrosion or missing sealant is
detected during the detailed visual
inspection or tactile inspection of the RH and
LH lower rear attachments, remove any
sealant and do a detailed visual inspection
for corrosion in accordance with step 26 of
Part B, in Part 2, Work Procedure, of
Vulcanair SB VA–22.
(ii) If corrosion or missing rivet stems are
detected during the general visual inspection
of the lower fuselage truss pipes, do a
detailed visual inspection and tap test for
corrosion in accordance with steps 27 and 28
of Part B, in Part 2, Work Procedure, of
Vulcanair SB VA–22.
(3) If, during any inspection required by
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, any corrosion is
detected on the lower fuselage truss, before
further flight, contact the Manager,
International Validation Branch, FAA; or
European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA); or Vulcanair’s EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA) for corrective
action instructions and do the corrective
actions. If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized
signature.
(4) If, during the inspections required by
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, no corrosion is
detected, before further flight, apply sealant
on rivets with absent stems, restore as
necessary the sealant inside the RH and LH
lower rear attachments, and install plugs P/
N 5034–011 on both the RH and LH rear
attachments, in accordance with the
instructions in steps 31 and 32 of Part B, in
Part 2, Work Procedure, of Vulcanair SB VA–
22.
(h) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
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17:46 Jun 26, 2023
Jkt 259001
Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the manager of the International Validation
Branch, mail it to the address identified in
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD or email to: 9AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. If mailing
information, also submit information by
email. Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(j) Additional Information
AGENCY:
(1) Refer to EASA AD 2022–0155, dated
August 1, 2022, for related information. This
EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–
2023–1218.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact John DeLuca, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228–
7369; email: john.p.deluca@faa.gov.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Vulcanair Aircraft V1 series Service
Bulletin VA–22, rev. 0, dated June 15, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Vulcanair S.p.A., via G.
Pascoli, 7, 80026 Casoria (NA), Italy; phone:
+39 081 5918111; email: info@vulcanair.com;
website: support.vulcanair.com.
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222–5110.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to:
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued on June 20, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–13497 Filed 6–26–23; 8:45 am]
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
The Manager, International Validation
Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your
request to your principal inspector or local
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Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–1398; Project
Identifier AD–2023–00472–P]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton
Sundstrand Corporation Propellers
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
(Hamilton Sundstrand) Model 14SF–17
and 14SF–19 propellers. This proposed
AD was prompted by a report of an
auxiliary motor and pump failing to
feather a propeller in flight. This
proposed AD would require
replacement of a certain auxiliary motor
and pump. This proposed AD would
also prohibit installation of a certain
auxiliary motor and pump on any
propeller. The FAA is proposing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by July 27, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
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: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA–2023–
1398; or in person at Docket Operations
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The AD docket contains this NPRM, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For service information identified
in this NPRM, contact Hamilton
Sundstrand, One Hamilton Road,
Windsor Locks, CT 06096–1010, phone:
(877) 808–7575; email: CRC@
collins.com.
SUMMARY:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 27, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41510-41513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13497]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1218; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01025-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Vulcanair S.p.A. Model V1.0 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 identifies
the unsafe condition as corrosion on the lower fuselage truss. This
proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection of the right-
hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) lower rear attachments of the fuselage
truss for corrosion, a tactile inspection of the lower rear attachments
for missing sealant, and a general visual inspection of the lower
fuselage truss welded pipes for corrosion and the related rivets for
missing stems and, depending on findings, additional inspections and
actions (including a tap test) and applicable corrective actions. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by August 11, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5
[[Page 41511]]
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1218; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
Vulcanair S.p.A., via G. Pascoli, 7, 80026 Casoria (NA), Italy; phone:
+39 081 5918111; email: [email protected]; website:
support.vulcanair.com.
You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John DeLuca, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516)
228-7369; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1218; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01025-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to John
DeLuca, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2022-0155, dated August 1, 2022 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on certain serial-
numbered Vulcanair S.p.A. Model V1.0 airplanes.
The MCAI was prompted by reports of corrosion on the lower fuselage
truss on two Vulcanair Model V1.0 airplanes. Missing sealant or missing
rivet stems were determined to be the root cause of corrosion by
allowing water ingress into the lower fuselage truss. In both reported
cases, corrosion was externally visible, having penetrated the
thickness of the pipes. However, corrosion could be present inside the
pipes and remain undetected without proper inspection. This condition,
if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of control of the
airplane.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1218.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Vulcanair Aircraft V1 series Service Bulletin VA-
22, rev. 0, dated June 15, 2022 (Vulcanair SB VA-22). This service
information specifies procedures for inspections of the lower fuselage
truss for corrosion, missing sealant, and missing rivet stems; and, in
case of findings, additional inspections and actions to detect
corrosion, including a tap test and raising the airplane nose. This
service information specifies to contact Vulcanair for corrective
actions.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI and service information described above. The FAA is issuing
this NPRM after determining the unsafe condition described previously
is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the MCAI, except as discussed under ``Differences Between this
Proposed AD and the MCAI.''
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
Although Vulcanair SB VA-22 specifies that ``in case of doubts,
raise the aircraft nose and audibly detect the presence of corrosion
residues inside the fuselage truss,'' this proposed AD would not
require that action.
Paragraph (1) of the MCAI states to ``accomplish a general visual
and tactile inspection of the right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) lower
rear attachments of the fuselage truss'' in accordance with the
instructions of Part A of Vulcanair SB VA-22. However, step 14, Part A,
of Vulcanair SB VA-22 specifies to do a detailed visual inspection. In
email communication between EASA and the FAA, EASA clarified that this
should be a detailed visual inspection performed in accordance with the
procedures specified in Vulcanair SB VA-22; therefore, this proposed AD
would require a detailed visual inspection of the RH and LH lower rear
attachments of the fuselage truss for corrosion.
The MCAI requires contacting the manufacturer for approved
corrective action instructions if any corrosion is found on the lower
fuselage truss. This proposed AD would require contacting either the
Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Vulcanair's
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 17 airplanes of U.S. registry.
[[Page 41512]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed visual inspection and 8 work-hours x $85 per $0 $680 $11,560
tactile inspection of the RH and LH hour = $680.
lower rear attachments, and a
general visual inspection of the
pipes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions
that would be required based on the results of the proposed
inspections.
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove sealant and detailed inspection of 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $340
inner face of longitudinal tubes connected to $340.
lower rear attachments.
Detailed visual inspection and tap test of the 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = 0 340
lower fuselage truss pipes. $340.
Installation of plug P/N 5034-011 on RH and LH 0.50 work-hour x $85 per hour = 130 172.50
lower rear attachments. $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The corrective action instructions that may be needed as a result
of these inspections could vary significantly from airplane to
airplane. The FAA has no data to determine the costs to accomplish
those corrective actions or the number of airplanes that would need
these corrective 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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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
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 airworthiness
directive:
Vulcanair S.p.A.: Docket No. FAA-2023-1218; Project Identifier MCAI-
2022-01025-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by August 11, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. Model V1.0 airplanes, serial
numbers (S/Ns) 1001 through 1034 inclusive, except S/Ns 1008 and
1019, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5311, Fuselage Main,
Frame.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by 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 identifies the unsafe condition as corrosion on
the lower fuselage truss. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 100 hours time-in-service or 12 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do a detailed
visual inspection of the right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) lower
rear attachments of the fuselage truss for corrosion, a tactile
inspection of the RH and LH lower rear attachments of the fuselage
truss for missing sealant, a general visual inspection of the
[[Page 41513]]
pipes on the lower fuselage truss for corrosion, and a general
visual inspection of the pipes on the lower fuselage truss for
rivets with missing stems, in accordance with steps 13 and 14 of
Part A, in Part 2, Work Procedure, of Vulcanair Aircraft V1 series
Service Bulletin VA-22, rev. 0, dated June 15, 2022 (Vulcanair SB
VA-22).
(1) If, during the inspections required by the introductory text
of paragraph (g) of this AD, no missing sealant and no corrosion of
the LH and RH lower rear attachments are detected, and no corrosion
and no missing rivet stems of the lower fuselage truss pipes are
detected, before further flight, install part number (P/N) 5034-011
plugs on both the RH and LH rear attachments, in accordance with
step 16 of Part A, in Part 2, Work Procedure, of Vulcanair SB VA-22.
After installation of the plugs, no further action is required by
this AD.
(2) If, during the inspections required by the introductory text
of paragraph (g) of this AD, corrosion, missing sealant, or missing
rivet stems are detected, before further flight, do the following as
applicable:
(i) If corrosion or missing sealant is detected during the
detailed visual inspection or tactile inspection of the RH and LH
lower rear attachments, remove any sealant and do a detailed visual
inspection for corrosion in accordance with step 26 of Part B, in
Part 2, Work Procedure, of Vulcanair SB VA-22.
(ii) If corrosion or missing rivet stems are detected during the
general visual inspection of the lower fuselage truss pipes, do a
detailed visual inspection and tap test for corrosion in accordance
with steps 27 and 28 of Part B, in Part 2, Work Procedure, of
Vulcanair SB VA-22.
(3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of
this AD, any corrosion is detected on the lower fuselage truss,
before further flight, contact the Manager, International Validation
Branch, FAA; or European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or
Vulcanair's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) for corrective
action instructions and do the corrective actions. If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(4) If, during the inspections required by paragraph (g)(2) of
this AD, no corrosion is detected, before further flight, apply
sealant on rivets with absent stems, restore as necessary the
sealant inside the RH and LH lower rear attachments, and install
plugs P/N 5034-011 on both the RH and LH rear attachments, in
accordance with the instructions in steps 31 and 32 of Part B, in
Part 2, Work Procedure, of Vulcanair SB VA-22.
(h) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail
it to the address identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD or email
to: [email protected]. If mailing information, also submit
information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(j) Additional Information
(1) Refer to EASA AD 2022-0155, dated August 1, 2022, for
related information. This EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1218.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact John DeLuca,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7369; email:
[email protected].
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Vulcanair Aircraft V1 series Service Bulletin VA-22, rev. 0,
dated June 15, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Vulcanair S.p.A., via G. Pascoli, 7, 80026 Casoria (NA), Italy;
phone: +39 081 5918111; email: [email protected]; website:
support.vulcanair.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on June 20, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-13497 Filed 6-26-23; 8:45 am]
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