[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57993-57994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28164]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-103-AD; Amendment 39-9808; AD 96-23-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty
Ltd. (Formerly Government Aircraft Factory) Models N22B, N24A, and N22S
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd. (ASTA) Models
N22B, N24A, and N22S airplanes that are not equipped with a part number
(P/N) 1E/N-12-57 fuselage stub fin plate (MOD N759). This action
requires replacing the existing fuselage stub fin plate with one of
improved design, P/N 1E/N-12-57. This action results from several
reports of cracks along the forward flange of the fuselage stub fin
plate in the area of Rib Water Line (WL) 138.87. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent structural failure of the fuselage
area caused by a cracked stub fin plate, which could result in loss of
control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective December 23, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 23, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd., ASTA DEFENCE,
Private Bag No. 4, Beach Road Lara 3212, Victoria, Australia. This
information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-103-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: Mr. Ron Atmur, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5224;
facsimile (310) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to ASTA Models N22B,
N24A, and N22S airplanes that are not equipped with a part number (P/N)
1E/N-12-57 fuselage stub fin plate (MOD N759) was published in the
Federal Register on July 8, 1996 (61 FR 35693). The action proposed to
require replacing the existing fuselage stub fin plate with one of
improved design, P/N 1E/N-12-57. Accomplishment of the proposed
installation as specified in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
would be in accordance with Nomad Service Bulletin ANMD-53-13, Revision
3, dated October 24, 1995.
The NPRM was the result of several reports of cracks along the
forward flange of the fuselage stub fin plate in the area of Rib Water
Line (WL) 138.87.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
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.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 15 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 22 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $150 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $22,050 or $1,470 per airplane. This
figure is based on the assumption that no affected owner/operator of
the affected airplanes has accomplished the required replacement.
ASTA has informed the FAA that it has no records of parts
distribution. The FAA believes that several of the affected airplanes
already have the required replacement incorporated, which would reduce
the cost impact upon the public.
Regulatory Impact
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.
[[Page 57994]]
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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
96-23-03 Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd.: Amendment
39-9808; Docket No. 95-CE-103-AD.
Applicability: Models N22B, N24A, and N22S airplanes (all serial
numbers), certificated in any category, that are not equipped with a
part number (P/N) 1E/N-12-57 fuselage stub fin plate (MOD N759).
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 100 hours time-in-service
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent structural failure of the fuselage area caused by a
cracked stub fin plate, which could result in loss of control of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the fuselage stub fin plate with one of improved
design, P/N 1E/N-12-57 (MOD N759), in accordance with the
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Nomad Service Bulletin ANMD-
53-13, Revision 3, dated October 24, 1995.
(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, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712.
The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(d) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Nomad Service Bulletin ANMD-53-13, Revision 3, dated
October 24, 1995. This incorporation by reference was 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 Aerospace
Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd., ASTA DEFENCE, Private Bag No. 4,
Beach Road Lara 3212, Victoria, Australia. 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., suite
700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment (39-9808) becomes effective on December 23,
1996.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 28, 1996.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-28164 Filed 11-8-96; 8:45 am]
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