[Federal Register: April 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 64)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 15371-15373]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ap09-4]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0125 Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-002-AD;
Amendment 39-15873; AD 2009-07-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Model
DA 40 and DA 40F Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final Rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 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:
A number of wings manufactured by Diamond Aircraft Industries
Inc. in Canada have been found to exhibit voids in the adhesive
joint between the main spar caps and the upper wing skins. The
available information indicates that wings with voids continue to
meet the certification design limits, provided the voids are within
established criteria. However, to detect any wings that may have
voids exceeding these criteria, Diamond has issued Mandatory Service
Bulletin MSB-40-060 and MSB-F4-016 (single document) that describes
instructions for inspection of the aircraft that had these wings
installed during manufacture. Aircraft that have voids within the
inspection criteria may continue to operate without restriction,
pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. Aircraft that have
voids exceeding the inspection criteria must be repaired.
We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective May 11, 2009.
On May 11, 2009, 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 Document 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: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; 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 February 13, 2009
(74 FR 7196). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
A number of wings manufactured by Diamond Aircraft Industries
Inc. in Canada have been found to exhibit voids in the adhesive
joint between the main spar caps and the upper wing skins. The
available information indicates that wings with voids continue to
meet the certification design limits, provided the voids are within
established criteria. However, to detect any wings that may have
voids exceeding these criteria, Diamond has issued Mandatory Service
Bulletin MSB-40-060 and MSB-F4-016 (single document) that describes
instructions for inspection of the aircraft that had these wings
installed during manufacture. Aircraft that have voids within
[[Page 15372]]
the inspection criteria may continue to operate without restriction,
pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. Aircraft that have
voids exceeding the inspection criteria must be repaired.
For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires the
inspection of the affected aircraft to measure the voids in the
adhesive joint between the main spar caps and the upper wing skin,
the reporting of all findings to Diamond Aircraft industries and the
repair of any voids exceeding the criteria as specified in the MSB.
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
Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will
affect 649 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will
take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S.
operators to be $103,840 or $160 per product.
We have no way of determining the cost of any necessary repairs or
parts that may be required as a result of any proposed inspection.
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 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 adding the following new AD:
2009-07-14 Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH: Amendment 39-15873;
Docket No. FAA-2009-0125; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-002-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 11,
2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following model and serial number
airplanes, certificated in any category: DA 40 airplanes, serial
numbers 40.377, 40.420, 40.422, 40.644 through 40.693, 40.695
through 40.842, 40.844, 40.846 through 40.887, 40.889 through
40.912, 40.915 through 40.917, 40.919 through 40.929, 40.931,
40.932, 40.934 through 40.940, 40.944 through 40.949, 40.951 through
40.953, 40.955 through 40.957, 40.961, 40.964, and 40.971; and DA
40F airplanes, serial numbers 40.FC007 through 40.FC029.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
A number of wings manufactured by Diamond Aircraft Industries
Inc. in Canada have been found to exhibit voids in the adhesive
joint between the main spar caps and the upper wing skins. The
available information indicates that wings with voids continue to
meet the certification design limits, provided the voids are within
established criteria. However, to detect any wings that may have
voids exceeding these criteria, Diamond has issued Mandatory Service
Bulletin MSB-40-060 and MSB-F4-016 (single document) that describes
instructions for inspection of the aircraft that had these wings
installed during manufacture. Aircraft that have voids within the
inspection criteria may continue to operate without restriction,
pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. Aircraft that have
voids exceeding the inspection criteria must be repaired.
For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires the
inspection of the affected aircraft to measure the voids in the
adhesive joint between the main spar caps and the upper wing skin,
the reporting of all findings to Diamond Aircraft industries and the
repair of any voids exceeding the criteria as specified in the MSB.
[[Page 15373]]
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after May
11, 2009 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 3 months
after May 11, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs
first, inspect the adhesive joint between the wing main spar caps
and the upper wing skin for adhesive voids following Diamond
Aircraft Industries GmbH Work Instructions WI-MSB-40-060 and WI-MSB-
F4-016 (single document), dated October 20, 2008; as referenced in
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletins No.
MSB-40-060 and No. MSB-F4-016 (single document), dated October 20,
2008.
(2) Within the next 30 days after the inspection required in
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD or within 30 days after May 11, 2009
(the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, report the
results to Diamond Aircraft Industries following Diamond Aircraft
Industries GmbH Work Instructions WI-MSB-40-060 and WI-MSB-F4-016
(single document), dated October 20, 2008; as referenced in Diamond
Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletins No. MSB-40-060
and No. MSB-F4-016 (single document), dated October 20, 2008.
(3) If, as a result of the inspection required by paragraph
(f)(1) of this AD, an adhesive void is found that exceeds the
criteria specified in the service information, before further
flight, contact Diamond Aircraft Industries at Diamond Aircraft
Industries GmbH, N.A. Otto-Stra[szlig]e 5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt;
telephone: +43 2622 26700; fax: +43 2622 26780; E-mail:
office@diamond-air.at, for FAA-approved repair instructions and
accomplish the repair accordingly.
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: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.:
2008-0224, dated December 16, 2008; and Diamond Aircraft Industries
GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletins No. MSB-40-060 and No. MSB-F4-016
(single document), dated October 20, 2008, for related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work
Instructions WI-MSB-40-060 and WI-MSB-F4-016 (single document),
dated October 20, 2008; and Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH
Mandatory Service Bulletins No. MSB-40-060 and No. MSB-F4-016
(single document), dated October 20, 2008, 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
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, N.A. Otto-Stra[szlig]e 5, A-2700
Wiener Neustadt; telephone: +43 2622 26700; fax: +43 2622 26780; e-
mail: office@diamond-air.at; Internet: http://www.diamond-air.at/.
(3) You may review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For 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 March 27, 2009.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-7412 Filed 4-3-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P