Airworthiness directives: British Aerospace Aircraft Group,

[Federal Register: November 27, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 227)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 66087-66089]

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

[DOCID:fr27no07-37]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0248; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-084-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Aircraft Group, Scottish Division, Model Beagle B.121 Series 1, 2, 3 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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) originated 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:

The Type Certificate Holder (TCH) has received several reports of failed Rudder torque tube assemblies. The torque tube assemblies are subject to repetitive inspection in accordance Airworthiness Directive 2060 PRE 80. The recent failures occurred in service after the inspections required by AD 2060 PRE 80 had been performed. In the event of such failures, loss of directional control through both the Rudder and Nosewheel Steering may occur. The TCH has also received reports of loose rivets attaching the inboard Anchor Assembly to the Starboard Torque Tube.

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 December 27, 2007.

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.

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 proposed AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments

[[Page 66088]]

to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-****; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-084-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://www.regulations.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 United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority, which is the aviation authority for United Kingdom, has issued AD No: G-2005-0030, dated October 12, 2005 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

The Type Certificate Holder (TCH) has received several reports of failed Rudder torque tube assemblies. The torque tube assemblies are subject to repetitive inspection in accordance Airworthiness Directive 2060 PRE 80. The recent failures occurred in service after the inspections required by AD 2060 PRE 80 had been performed. In the event of such failures, loss of directional control through both the Rudder and Nosewheel Steering may occur. The TCH has also received reports of loose rivets attaching the inboard Anchor Assembly to the Starboard Torque Tube.

The MCAI requires the inspection of the rudder torque tube assemblies and hubs for cracking and loose rivets with conditional correction or replacement following de Havilland Support Limited Service Bulletin B121/65, Issue 2, dated August 10, 2005.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

De Havilland Support Limited has issued Service Bulletin No. B121/ 65, Issue 2, dated August 10, 2005. 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 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 1 product of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $80, or $80 per product.

In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would take about 12 work-hours and require parts costing $10,000 for a cost of $10,960 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.

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:

   British Aerospace (Scotland): Docket No. FAA-2007-0248; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-084-AD.

   Comments Due Date

   (a) We must receive comments by December 27, 2007.

   Affected ADs

   (b) None.

   Applicability

   (c) This AD applies to Beagle B.121 Series 1, 2, 3 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

   Subject

   (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight Controls.

   [[Page 66089]]

   Reason

   (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

   The Type Certificate Holder (TCH) has received several reports of failed Rudder torque tube assemblies. The torque tube assemblies are subject to repetitive inspection in accordance Airworthiness Directive 2060 PRE 80. The recent failures occurred in service after the inspections required by AD 2060 PRE 80 had been performed. In the event of such failures, loss of directional control through both the Rudder and Nosewheel Steering may occur. The TCH has also received reports of loose rivets attaching the inboard Anchor Assembly to the Starboard Torque Tube.

   The MCAI requires the inspection of the rudder torque tube assemblies and hubs for cracking and loose rivets with conditional correction or replacement in accordance with de Havilland Support Limited Service Bulletin B121/65, Issue 2, dated August 10, 2005.

   Actions and Compliance

   (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:

   (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspect the Rudder Torque Tube Assemblies following de Havilland Support Limited Service Bulletin B121/65, Issue 2, dated August 10, 2005.

   (2) Before further flight, replace any cracked Rudder Torque Tube Assemblies and correct any loose rivets in the Rudder Torque Tube Assemblies that are found in the inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, following de Havilland Support Limited Service Bulletin B121/65, Issue 2, dated August 10, 2005.

   (3) After the effective date of this AD, used rudder torque assemblies held as spares for British Aerospace Aircraft Group, Scottish Division, Model Beagle B.121 Series 1, 2, 3 airplanes must be inspected following de Havilland Support Limited Service Bulletin B121/65, Issue 2, dated August 10, 2005, and found free of cracks prior to installation.

   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: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; 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 United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority AD No: G-2005-0030, dated October 12, 2005; and de Havilland Support Limited Service Bulletin B121/65, Issue 2, dated August 10, 2005, for related information.

   Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20, 2007. Kim Smith, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-23025 Filed 11-26-07; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P