[Federal Register: September 14, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 178)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 52519-52520]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14se07-16]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28957; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-069-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; CTRM Aviation Sdn. Bhd. (Formerly Eagle
Aircraft (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.) Model Eagle 150B Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 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:
An operator has reported severe exfoliation corrosion on Wing/
Canard Flap Hinges, P/N 5731D01-16 (middle and outboard hinges) on
his Eagle 150B. The corrosion has been detected during 100-hour
inspection. The aircraft has accumulated more than 1000 flight
hours. The corrosion is so severe that one of the Flap Hinges
thickness has been reduced by 50%. The corrosion is not easily
detected because the Flap Hinge is sandwiched between the Flap Hinge
Support Bracket P/N 5731D01-01.
The failure of the hinge bracket may result in disintegration of
flap / canard wing thus leading to loss of control, with
catastrophic consequences.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 15,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
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.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) 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.
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-2007-
28957; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-069-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 http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), which is the aviation
authority for Malaysia, has issued AD No. CAM AD 001-07-2007, dated
July 20, 2007 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an
unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
An operator has reported severe exfoliation corrosion on Wing /
Canard Flap Hinges, P/N 5731D01-16 (middle and outboard hinges) on
his Eagle 150B. The corrosion has been detected during 100-hour
inspection. The aircraft has accumulated more than 1000 flight
hours. The corrosion is so severe that one of the Flap Hinges
thickness has been reduced by 50%. The corrosion is not easily
detected because the Flap Hinge is sandwiched between the Flap Hinge
Support Bracket P/N 5731D01-01.
The failure of the hinge bracket may result in disintegration of
flap / canard wing thus leading to loss of control, with
catastrophic consequences.
The MCAI requires you to visually inspect the flap hinges and flap
hinge support brackets for any corrosion. You are to take corrective
action if you find any corrosion.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
CTRM Aviation Sdn. Bhd. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB
1126, dated, July 19, 2007. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information. We might also
have proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in
order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a
Note within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 6 products of U.S. registry.
[[Page 52520]]
We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average
labor rate is $80 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $1,440, or $240 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 4 work-hours and require parts costing $226, for a cost of
$546 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); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
CTRM Aviation Sdn. Bhd. (Formerly Eagle Aircraft (Malaysia) Sdn.
Bhd.): Docket No. FAA-2007-28957; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-
069-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by October 15, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD affects Model Eagle 150B airplanes, all serial
numbers, that are certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
An operator has reported severe exfoliation corrosion on Wing/
Canard Flap Hinges, P/N 5731D01-16 (middle and outboard hinges) on
his Eagle 150B. The corrosion has been detected during 100-hour
inspection. The aircraft has accumulated more than 1000 flight
hours. The corrosion is so severe that one of the Flap Hinges
thickness has been reduced by 50%. The corrosion is not easily
detected because the Flap Hinge is sandwiched between the Flap Hinge
Support Bracket P/N 5731D01-01.
The failure of the hinge bracket may result in disintegration of
flap/canard wing thus leading to loss of control, with catastrophic
consequences.
The MCAI requires you to visually inspect the flap hinges and flap
hinge support brackets for any corrosion. You are to take corrective
action if you find any corrosion.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD, inspect the flap hinges and flap hinge
support brackets for any corrosion, following CTRM Aviation
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 1126, dated July 19, 2007.
(2) Before further flight, if you find any corrosion as a result
of any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, take
corrective action following CTRM Aviation Mandatory Service Bulletin
SB 1126, dated July 19, 2007.
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 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.
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 Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia AD No.
CAM AD 001-07-2007, dated July 20, 2007; and CTRM Aviation Mandatory
Service Bulletin SB 1126, dated July 19, 2007, for related
information.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 10, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-18148 Filed 9-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P