[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 227 (Friday, November 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59325-59326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29721]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-93-AD; Amendment 39-9831; AD 96-24-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospace Technologies of Australia
Nomad Models N22B, N22S, and N24A 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 (ASTA) Nomad Models
N22B, N22S, and N24A airplanes. This action requires inspecting the
flap and aileron control rod fork ends for water accumulation and
corrosion inside the internally drilled holes, and replacing the
control rod fork ends if there is visible corrosion, or sealing the
hole if no corrosion is found. Reports of water entering the internal
holes of the flap and aileron control rod fork ends, causing corrosion,
prompted this AD action. The actions specified by this AD are intended
to prevent corrosion and water accumulation in the flap and aileron
control rod fork ends, which, if not detected and corrected, could
cause loss of control of the flaps and aileron and possible loss of
control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective January 17, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 17, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Aerospace Technologies of Australia, Limited, 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-93-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, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd.,
Lakewood, California, 90712; telephone (310) 627-5224; facsimile (310)
627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to This Action
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to ASTA Nomad Models
N22B, N22S, and N24A airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
March 14, 1996 (61 FR 10478). The action proposed inspecting the flap
and aileron control rod fork ends for water accumulation and corrosion
inside the internally drilled holes, and replacing the control rod fork
ends if there is visible corrosion or sealing the hole if no corrosion
is found.
Related Service Information
Accomplishment of this action would be in accordance with ASTA
Nomad Service Bulletin (SB) NMD-27-24, dated October 8, 1982.
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.
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 would be
affected by this AD, that it would take approximately 3 workhours per
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. In estimating the total cost impact of this
AD on U.S. operators, the FAA is only using the inspection criteria (3
workhours). The FAA has no way of knowing how many airplanes have
incorporated the modification. With this in mind and based on those
figures above, the total cost impact of this AD upon U.S. operators of
the affected airplanes is $2,700. This figure only includes the cost
for the initial inspection and does not include replacement costs of
the corroded part. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
corroded control rod fork ends.
Compliance Time for This AD
The compliance time of this AD is in calendar time instead of hours
time-in-service (TIS). The FAA has determined that a calendar time
compliance is the most desirable method because the unsafe condition
described by this AD is caused by corrosion. Corrosion initiates as a
result of airplane operation, but can continue to develop regardless of
whether the airplane is in service or in storage. Therefore, to ensure
that the above-referenced condition is detected and corrected on all
airplanes within a reasonable period of time without inadvertently
grounding any airplanes, a compliance schedule based upon calendar time
instead of hours TIS is appropriate.
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
[[Page 59326]]
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 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:
96-24-05 Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA): Amendment 39-
9831; Docket No. 95-CE-93-AD.
Applicability: Nomad Models N22B, N22S, and N24A airplanes with
the following serial numbers, certificated in any category.
Nomad N22B and N22S
N22B-5M, N22B-6M, N22B-7, N22B-11M, N22B-12M, N22B-15M, N22B-16M,
N22B-18M, N22B-19M, N22B-20M, N22B-21M, N22B-22M, N22B-23M, N22B-25,
N22B-27, N22B-31M, N22B-33, N22B-35, N22B-37, N22B-50, N22B-53,
N22B-56, N22B-57, N22B-58, N22B-59, N22B-61, N22B-65M, N22B-66,
N22B-67M, N22B-68, N22B-69, N22B-70, N22S-82, N22B-83, N22S-84,
N22B-85M, N22S-86, N22S-87, N22B-88M, N22S-90, N22B-91M, N22S-92,
N22B-93, N22B-95, N22B-97M, N22B-100M, N22B-102, N22B-103, and N22B-
104
Nomad N24A
N24A-44, N24A-46, N24A-62, N24A-64, N24A-71, N24A-72, N24A-73, N24A-
74, N24A-75, N24A-76, N24A-77, N24A-78, and N24A-79
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 (e) 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 1 year after the effective
date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent corrosion and water accumulation in the flap and
aileron control rod fork ends, which, if not detected and corrected,
could cause loss of control of the flaps and aileron and possible
loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect for corrosion and water accumulation inside the
internally drilled holes of the flap and aileron control rod fork
ends in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of
Nomad Service Bulletin (SB) NMD-27-24, dated October 8, 1982.
(b) If corrosion is present, prior to further flight, replace
the control rod fork ends, part number (P/N) 1/N-45-351 or P/N 1/N-
45-1059, and seal the drilled holes in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions section of Nomad SB NMD-27-24, dated
October 8, 1982.
(c) If no corrosion is present, prior to further flight, seal
the drilled holes to prevent future corrosion in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions section of Nomad SB NMD-27-24, dated
October 8, 1982.
(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.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California. The request shall
be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who
may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.
(f) The inspection, modification, or replacement required by
this AD shall be done in accordance with Nomad Service Bulletin NMD-
27-24, dated October 8, 1982. 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, Limited, 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.
(g) This amendment (39-9831) becomes effective on January 17,
1997.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 13, 1996.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-29721 Filed 11-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U