[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 58 (Monday, March 25, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12018-12019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7149]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-13-AD; Amendment 39-9550; AD 95-17-09 R1]


Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment revises Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-17-09, 
which requires relocating the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) 
essential bus current limiters (225 amp) to the battery bus (main bus 
tie) on certain Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227 series airplanes. 
The Federal Aviation Administraton (FAA) has determined that the 
applicability of the current AD should be changed to reflect a 
different serial number range and model designation of certain SA227 
series airplanes. This action retains the essential bus current limiter 
relocations required by AD 95-17-09, and revises the Applicability 
section of that AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent failure of the LH and RH essential bus when engine failure 
results in a blown generator current limiter, which could result in 
loss of airplane electrical power.

DATES: Effective May 13, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations was previously approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of October 3, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Fairchild Aircraft, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-
0490; telephone (210) 824-9421. This information may also be examined 
at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-13-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ingrid D. Knox, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone (817) 222-5190; facsimile (817) 
222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to certain Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227 series airplanes that 
utilize a DC generator was published in the Federal Register on October 
13, 1995 (60 FR 53309). The action proposed to revise AD 95-17-09 by 
retaining the requirement of relocating the LH and RH essential bus 
current limiters (225 amp) to the battery bus (main bus tie); and 
revising the Applicability section to reflect correct serial numbers 
and incorporating the correct airplane model designation in paragraph 
(a) of AD 95-17-09. Accomplishment of the proposed modification would 
be in accordance with Fairchild Aircraft Engineering Kit Drawing 
27K82376, ``Current Limiter Rebusing Kit,'' as referenced in Fairchild 
Service Bulletin (SB) 226-24-034, SB 227-24-015, and SB CC7-24-002, all 
Issued: September 29, 1994.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments have been received 
regarding the proposal or the FAA's estimate of the cost impact upon 
the public.
    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 622 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $98 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $210,236 or $338 per airplane. This 
figure is based on the assumption that no affected airplane owner/
operator has incorporated the required modification. Fairchild Aircraft 
has informed the FAA that parts have not been distributed to any owner/
operator of the affected airplanes.
    The required action only corrects a model designation and certain 
serial numbers of certain SA227 series airplanes that are affected by 
AD 95-17-09. The cost impact upon the public specified in this AD is 
exactly the same as that currently required by AD 95-17-09.

[[Page 12019]]

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A copy of the final 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 95-17-09, Amendment 39-9339 (60 FR 43361, August 21, 1995), and by 
adding a new AD to read as follows:

95-17-09 R1 Fairchild Aircraft: Amendment 39-9550; Docket No. 95-CE-
13-AD. Revises AD 95-17-09, Amendment 39-9339.

    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category, that utilize a direct current (DC) 
generator:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                             Serial Nos.        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SA226-T, SA226-AT, SA226-TC, and SA226-     All.                        
 T(B).                                                                  
SA227-AC, SA227-AT, SA227-BC, and SA227-TT  420 through 783, and 785    
                                             through 789.               
SA227-CC and SA227-DC.....................  784, and 790 through 883.   
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 within the next 2,000 hours time- in-
service after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished (compliance with AD 95-17-09).
    To prevent failure of the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) 
essential bus when engine failure results in a blown generator 
current limiter, which could result in loss of airplane electrical 
power, accomplish the following:
    (a) Relocate the LH and RH essential bus current limiters (225 
amp) to the battery bus (main bus tie) in accordance with Fairchild 
Aircraft Engineering Kit Drawing 27K82376, ``Current Limiter 
Rebusing Kit,'' as referenced in the following service bulletins 
(SB):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
     SB                   Date                     Models affected      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
226-24-034.  September 29, 1994...........  All affected SA226 models.  
227-24-015.  September 29, 1994...........  SA227-AC, SA227-AT, SA227-  
                                             BC, and SA227-TT.          
CC7-24-002.  September 29, 1994...........  SA227-CC and SA227-DC.      
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) 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.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150. 
The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Fort Worth ACO.
    (d) Alternative methods of compliance approved for AD 95-17-09 
are approved as alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.

    (e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Fairchild Aircraft Engineering Kit Drawing 27K82376, 
``Current Limiter Rebusing Kit,'' as referenced in Fairchild 
Aircraft Service Bulletins 226-24-034, 227-24-015, and CC7-24-002, 
all Issued: September 29, 1994. This incorporation by reference was 
previously approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Fairchild Aircraft, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, 
Texas 78279-0490. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 7th Floor, suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment (39-9950) revises AD 95-17-09, Amendment 39-
9339.
    (g) This amendment (39-9550) becomes effective on May 13, 1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 19, 1996.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-7149 Filed 3-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U