Airworthiness directives: Aerospatiale,

[Federal Register: July 7, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 129)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 36626-36628]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr07jy98-20]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-158-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive inspections to detect corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support arms of the aileron balance weights; and repair, if necessary. Accomplishment of the repair would terminate the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support arms of the aileron balance weights, which may cause reduced flutter damping or jamming of the aileron, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-158-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filedin the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 98-NM-158-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-158-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

Discussion

The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) series airplanes. The DGAC advises that two cases of failure of the support arms of the aileron balance weights have occurred on one in-service airplane. Subsequent inspection of seven additional airplanes revealed one case of cracking of a support arm of the aileron balance weight. Investigation revealed that the cracking developed from the end bending radius, through or close to the rear rivet hole of the anchor nut plate. Corrosion evidence also was found in the same area. Such corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support arms of the aileron balance weights, if not corrected, could result in reduced flutter damping or jamming of the aileron, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Aerospatiale has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) A/BTE/AM 499.368/ 95, dated March 7, 1995, which describes procedures for repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support arms of the aileron balance weights, and repair, if necessary. Accomplishment of the repair would eliminate the need for the repetitive inspections. Accomplishment of the action specified in the AOT is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified this AOT as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 95-054-019 (B), dated March 29, 1995, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in the AOT described previously, except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and the Parallel French AD

Operators should note that, although the French airworthiness directive specifies that the manufacturer may be contacted for disposition of certain repair conditions, this proposal would require the repair of those conditions to be accomplished in accordance with a method approved by either the FAA, or the DGAC (or its delegated agent). In light of the type of repair that would be required to address the identified unsafe condition, and in consonance with existing bilateral airworthiness agreements, the FAA has determined that, for this proposed AD, a repair approved by either the FAA or the DGAC would be acceptable for compliance with this proposed AD.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

[[Page 36628]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

   Aerospatiale: Docket 98-NM-158-AD.

   Applicability: All Model SN-601 (Corvette) series airplanes, certificated in any category.

   Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

   Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

   To prevent corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support arms of the aileron balance weights, which may cause reduced flutter damping or jamming of the aileron, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

   (a) Within 10 landings or 10 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support arms of the aileron balance weights, in accordance with Aerospatiale All Operators Telex (AOT) A/BTE/AM 499.368/95, dated March 7, 1995.

   (1) If no corrosion, cracking, or rupture is detected on the support arms, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 flight hours or 6 months, whichever occurs earlier.

   (2) If any corrosion, cracking, or rupture is detected on the support arms: Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with the AOT. Accomplishment of this repair constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.

   (b) If any corrosion, cracking, or rupture is detected on the support arms, and Aerospatiale All Operators Telex (AOT) A/BTE/AM 499.368/95, dated March 7, 1995, specifies to contact Aerospatiale for an appropriate repair: Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated agent).

   (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

   Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

   (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

   Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 95-054-019 (B), dated March 29, 1995.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 30, 1998. Vi L. Lipski, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 98-17956Filed7-6-98; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P