[Federal Register: February 23, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 36)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 8134-8136]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23fe07-16]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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.
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[[Page 8134]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26691; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-88-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; REIMS AVIATION S.A. Model F406
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) issued by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
During maintenance, cracks have been discovered about the left
and right rib at the connection of the center wing and the fuselage
localized at the fuselage station FS160.80. Cracks spread in the rib
could result in structural failure.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 26, 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: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: 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) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri, 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language
principles.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
26691; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-88-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 Direction g[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'aviation civile (DGAC),
which is the aviation authority for France, has issued AD No. F-2004-
114 R1 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
During maintenance, cracks have been discovered about the left
and right rib at the connection of the center wing and the fuselage
localized at the fuselage station FS160.80. Cracks spread in the rib
could result in structural failure.
The MCAI requires:
* * * realization of an access door and improvement of the
fairing installation to facilitate the inspection of the ribs and a
visual inspection on the ribs.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
REIMS AVIATION S.A. has issued REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service
Bulletin No. F406-54 REV1, dated November 9, 2004. 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
[[Page 8135]]
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 7 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 70 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $4,750 per product. Where
the service information lists required parts costs that are covered
under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these
costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties,
some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $72,450, or $10,350 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 10 work-hours and require parts costing $1,000, for a cost
of $1,800 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:
REIMS AVIATION S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2006-26691; Directorate
Identifier 2006-CE-88-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by March 26, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to REIMS AVIATION S.A. Model F406 airplanes,
serial numbers F406-0001 through F406-0089 and serial number F406-
0091, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
During maintenance, cracks have been discovered about the left
and right rib at the connection of the center wing and the fuselage
localized at the fuselage station FS160.80. Cracks spread in the rib
could result in structural failure.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within the next 600 hours time-in-service or the next 12
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first,
and thereafter repetitively during a period not to exceed 12 months,
inspect the ribs in accordance with REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES
Service Bulletin No. F406-54 REV 1, dated November 9, 2004.
(2) If cracks are found during any inspection required by this
AD, before further flight, do the actions prescribed in chapters 1D
and 2E of the REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-54
REV 1, dated November 9, 2004.
Note 1: We have established the repetitive inspection times of
this AD so that they may coincide with annual inspections.
FAA AD Differences
Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
[[Page 8136]]
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI Direction g[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'aviation
civile (DGAC), which is the aviation authority for France, AD No. F-
2004-114 R1, dated January 5, 2005; and REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES
Service Bulletin No. F406-54 REV 1, dated November 9, 2004, for
related information.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February, 15, 2007.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-3101 Filed 2-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P