[Federal Register: February 5, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 24)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 6592-6594]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05fe08-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0249; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-088-AD;
Amendment 39-15361; AD 2008-03-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Design Limited Model
R2160 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as distortion of the rudder bars due to rudder control forces
during aerobatic operation and nose wheel steering reaction forces.
Rudder bar distortion could result in reduced control or loss of
control. This AD requires actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 11, 2008.
As of March 11, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this
AD.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816)
329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 27, 2007
(72 FR 66089) and proposed to supersede AD 87-08-01, Amendment 39-5601,
published in 1987 and AD 99-01-04, Amendment 39-10971, published in
1999. That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states that rudder control forces during
aerobatic operation and nose wheel steering reaction forces may cause
rudder bar distortion. Rudder bar distortion could result in reduced
control or loss of control.
The MCAI requires you to replace the left and right rudder bars
with reinforced rudder bars.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have required different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 9 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 3 work-hours per product to
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is
$80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $657 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S.
operators to be $8,073 or $897 per product.
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.
[[Page 6593]]
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 AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://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 the NPRM, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-5601 and
Amendment 39-10971 and adding the following new AD:
2008-03-11 Alpha Aviation Design Limited: Amendment 39-15361; Docket
No. FAA-2007-0249; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-088-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March
11, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 87-08-01, Amendment 39-5601; and AD
99-01-04, Amendment 39-10971.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model R2160 airplanes, serial numbers 1
through 378, that:
(1) Are certificated in any category; and
(2) Have not installed the improved design rudder bars part
number (P/N) 27.40.31.010 and P/N 27.40.31.020 following either
Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 143, dated September 8,
1995, or Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-003, dated October
19, 2007.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight
Controls.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states that rudder control forces during aerobatic operation and
nose wheel steering reaction forces may cause rudder bar distortion.
Rudder bar distortion could result in reduced or loss of control.
The MCAI requires you to replace the left and right rudder bars with
reinforced rudder bars.
Restatement of Requirements of AD 99-01-04
(f) For airplanes with serial numbers 250 through 378: Unless
already done, within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after
March 12, 1999 (the effective date of AD 99-01-04) replace the left
and right rudder bars, part number (P/N) 27.23.01.010 (left) and P/N
27.23.01.020 (right), with the reinforced rudder bars, P/N
27.40.31.010 (left) and P/N 27.40.31.020 (right) or FAA-equivalent
part numbers, following Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-
003, dated October 19, 2007.
New Requirements of This AD: Actions and Compliance
(g) For airplanes with serial numbers 1 through 249: Unless
already done, within the next 50 hours TIS after the effective date
of this AD or within the next 3 months after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the left and right rudder
bars, P/N 27.23.05.010 (left) and P/N 27.23.05.020 (right), with the
reinforced rudder bars, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and P/N 27.40.31.020
(right) or FAA-equivalent part numbers, following Alpha Aviation
Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-003, dated October 19, 2007.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(h) 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
(i) Refer to New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority AD DCA/R2000/
23B, dated October 25, 2007; and Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-
SB-27-003, dated October 19, 2007, for related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-003,
dated October 19, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Alpha
Aviaton, Ingram Road, Hamilton Airport, RD 2, Hamilton 2021, New
Zealand; telephone: +64 7 843 7070; fax: +64 7 843 8040; Internet:
http://www.alphaaviation.co.nz.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For
[[Page 6594]]
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 23, 2008.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1829 Filed 2-4-08; 8:45 am]
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