[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1996-1999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-457]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0014; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-066-AD;
Amendment 39-16577; AD 2011-02-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LP (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated) Models SA26-AT,
SA26-T, SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A),
SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the
cockpit heated windshields for damage and replacing damaged
windshields. This AD was prompted by reports from the windshield
manufacturer of inner glass ply fracture. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct damage to the cockpit heated windshield, which could
result in failure of the windshield with consequent rapid cabin
decompression and loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective January 24, 2011.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publication listed in the AD as of January 24,
2011.
We must receive comments on this AD by February 28, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.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: 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.
For service information identified in this AD, contact M7 Aerospace
LP, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210)
824-9421; Internet: http://www.m7aerospace.com. You may review copies
of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, 901 Locust St., Kansas City, Missouri 64016. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816)
329-4148.
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 this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hung Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Fort
Worth Airplane Certification Office, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort
Worth, Texas 76137-0150; phone: (817) 222-5155; fax: (817) 222-5960; e-
mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We received reports from the windshield manufacturer of inner glass
ply fractures found on 19 windshields over a 32-month period. As a
result of the fractures, a windshield on one of the affected airplanes
was reported to have failed completely.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the
cockpit heated windshield, causing rapid cabin decompression and loss
of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001, 226-56-011,
227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010. These service
bulletins describe procedures for repetitively inspecting the cockpit
heated windshield for damage and replacing damaged windshields.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Differences Between the AD and the Service Information.''
Interim Action
We consider this AD interim action. The design approval holder is
currently developing a modification that will address the unsafe
condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed,
approved, and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because this
condition could result in failure of the cockpit windshield. This
failure could lead to rapid cabin decompression and loss of control of
the airplane. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2011-0014 and
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-066-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
[[Page 1997]]
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 362 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the left-hand and right- 2 work-hours x $85 Not applicable........... $170 per inspection $61,540 per inspection cycle.
hand cockpit heated windshield. per hour = $170 per cycle.
inspection cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this
replacement:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace/repair damaged 40 work-hours per $14,055 per $17,455 per windshield.
windshield. windshield x $85 windshield.
per hour = $3,400
per windshield.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
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 that 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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2011-02-04 M7 Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated): Amendment 39-16577; Docket No.
FAA-2011-0014 Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-066-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD is effective January 24, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to M7 Aerospace LP (type certificate
previously held by Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated) Models SA26-AT,
SA26-T, SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A),
SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT
airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any
category.
Subject
(d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America Code 5610, Flight Compartment Windows.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD was prompted by reports from the windshield
manufacturer of inner glass ply fracture. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct damage to the cockpit heated windshield, which
could result in failure of the windshield with consequent rapid
cabin decompression and loss of control of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Inspection
(g) Within the next 21 days after January 24, 2011 (the
effective date of this AD), inspect the cockpit heated windshields,
part numbers 26-21126 and 27-19442, as applicable, for damage, e.g.,
delamination, glass shear, and interlayer cracking. Do the
inspection following M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001, 226-
56-011, 227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010, as
applicable.
(h) At the compliance times specified in table 1 of this AD,
repetitively inspect the cockpit heated windshield for damage, e.g.,
delamination, glass shear, and interlayer cracking. Do the
inspections following M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001, 226-
56-011, 227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010, as
applicable.
[[Page 1998]]
Table 1--Repetitive Inspection Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the installed
cockpit heated
windshield (new or Then repetitively
Category repaired) has the inspect at intervals
following hours time- not-to-exceed
in-service (TIS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A........................... Less than 1,100..... Every 150 hours TIS
until the
windshield
accumulates 1,100
hours TIS, at which
time inspect
according to
Category B.
B........................... 1,100 to 5,000...... Every 100 hours TIS
until the
windshield
accumulates 5,001
hours TIS, at which
time inspect
according to
Category C.
C........................... More than 5,000..... Every 50 hours TIS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Before further flight after each inspection required in
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD in which damage is found in the
critical and semi-critical inspection areas, replace or repair the
windshield as specified in M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001,
226-56-011, 227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010,
as applicable.
(j) Within 30 days after each inspection required in paragraph
(g) and (h) of this AD in which damage is found, report the results
of the inspection to the FAA. Use the form (figure 1 of this AD) and
submit it to the address specified in paragraph (n) of this AD.
Special Flight Permit
(k) Flights are limited to two pilot operations only. No single
pilot operation allowed.
Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement
(l) A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is
not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AD 2011-02-04
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airplane Model Number/Serial
Number:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time-in-Service (TIS) of on cockpit
heated windshield:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection results:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corrective Action Taken:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any Additional Information
(Optional):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone and/or E-mail Address:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Send report to: Hung Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth Airplane
Certification Office, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137-
0150;
phone: (817) 222-5155; fax: (817) 222-5960; e-mail:
[email protected].
Figure 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(m)(1) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office
(ACO), 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 ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section of this AD.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight
Standards District Office.
Related Information
(n) For more information about this AD, contact Hung Nguyen,
Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, FAA,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137-0150; phone: (817) 222-
5155; fax: (817) 222-5960; e-mail: [email protected].
Material Incorporated by Reference
(o) You must use the service information contained in Table 2 of
this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD
specifies otherwise.
Table 2--All Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document Revision Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
M7 Aerospace Service Bulletin N/A.......... December 1, 2010.
26-56-001.
M7 Aerospace Service Bulletin N/A.......... December 1, 2010.
226-56-011.
M7 Aerospace Service Bulletin N/A.......... December 1, 2010.
227-56-012.
[[Page 1999]]
M7 Aerospace Service Bulletin N/A.......... December 1, 2010.
CC7-56-009.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information contained in
Table 2 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact M7
Aerospace LP, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216;
telephone: (210) 824-9421; Internet: http://www.m7aerospace.com.
(4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust St., Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (816) 329-2470.
(5) You may also review copies of the service information that
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at an NARA facility, 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 5, 2011.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-457 Filed 1-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P