[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23640-23642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10883]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-31-AD; Amendment 39-10004; AD 97-09-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AeroSpace Technologies of Australia 
Limited (Formerly Government Aircraft Factories), Nomad Models N22S, 
N22B, and N24A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive AD 82-25-09 
which currently requires repetitively inspecting the pilot and co-pilot 
control wheel sub-assemblies for cracks, and if cracked, modifying the 
cracked part on the AeroSpace Technologies of Australia, Limited 
(ASTA), formerly Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) Nomad Models N22S, 
N22B, and N24A airplanes. This action would retain the repetitive 
inspection of the pilot and co-pilot control wheel sub-assemblies for 
cracks, but would include a modification that would terminate the 
repetitive inspections by replacing or re-working the control wheel 
sub-assembly with a part of improved design. This superseding action is 
prompted by cracking in the control wheel sub-assemblies and the 
manufacture of an improved part that would terminate the repetitive 
inspection. The actions specified by this Ad are intended to prevent 
failure of the pilot's and co-pilot's control wheels, which, if not 
detected and corrected, could result in loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective June 23, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 23, 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-31-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 (562) 627-5224; facsimile (562) 
627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Nomad Models N22S, 
N22B, and N24A airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
December 26, 1996 (61 FR 67965). This action proposed to supersede AD 
82-25-09 with a new AD that would retain the repetitive 100 hour time-
in-service (TIS) inspections for cracks on the pilot's and co-pilot's 
control wheel sub-assembly (ASTA part number (P/N) 1/N-45-1208) in the 
area adjacent to the circumferential weld adjoining the shaft spigot to 
each control wheel back support plate, modifying any cracked assembly 
by replacing the assembly with a part of improved design (ASTA P/N 2/N-
45-1208 or an FAA approved equivalent part), or re-working the assembly 
with approved re-worked parts (ASTA P/N 1/N-03-734 or an FAA approved 
equivalent part), and if there are no signs of cracking during these 
inspections, terminating the repetitive inspections by accomplishing 
the modification to the control wheel sub-assemblies with parts of 
improved design. This modification is considered a terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections required in AD 82-25-09.
    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.

Relevant Service Information

    Accomplishment of this action would be in accordance with 
Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) Nomad Alert Service Bulletin (SB) 
AS/B ANMD-27-27, Revision 1, dated November 5, 1982.

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.

[[Page 23641]]

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 15 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $1,592 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $29,280 or $1,952 per airplane. This 
figure is based on the cost of the initial inspection and modification 
and does not account for the repetitive inspections that may occur 
prior to the proposed modification. The FAA has no way to determine the 
number of airplanes that may have already accomplished this action.

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.

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 removing AD 82-25-09 and by adding a 
new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:

97-09-08  Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA) (formerly 
Government Aircraft Factories): Amendment No. 39-10004; Docket No. 
95-CE-31-AD; Supersedes AD 82-25-09, Amendment 39-4510.

    Applicability: Nomad Models N22S, N22B, and N24A airplanes, all 
serial numbers, 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 (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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the pilot's and co-pilot's control wheels, 
which, if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of 
control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the pilot and co-pilot control 
wheel sub-assembly (ASTA part number (P/N) 1/N-45-1208) for 
structural cracking in the area adjacent to the circumferential weld 
adjoining the shaft spigot to each control wheel back support plate 
in accordance with ``2. Accomplishment Instructions'' section, 
``Part A--Inspection'' paragraphs in Government Aircraft Factories 
(GAF) Nomad Alert Service Bulletin (SB) AS/B ANMD-27-27, Revision 1, 
dated November 5, 1982.
    (1) If no cracks are visible, repetitively inspect the control 
wheel sub-assemblies at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS in 
accordance with the ``2. Accomplishment Instructions'' section, 
``Part A--inspection'' paragraphs in GAF Nomad Alert SB AS/B ANMD-
27-27, Revision 1, dated November 5, 1982 until the accomplishment 
of paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (2) If cracks are visible during any inspection required by this 
AD, prior to further flight, modify the control wheel sub-assemblies 
by replacing or re-working the cracked part with parts of improved 
design (ASTA P/N 2/N-45-1208 or 1/N-03-734 (reworked part) or the 
FAA approved equivalent) in accordance with the ``2. Accomplishment 
Instructions'' section, ``Part B--Modification by Replacement or 
Rework'' paragraphs in GAF Nomad Alert SB AS/B ANMD-27-27, Revision 
1, dated November 5, 1982.
    (b) Upon the accumulation of 300 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD, modify the control wheel sub-assemblies (ASTA P/N 
1/N-45-1208) by replacing the assemblies or re-working the 
assemblies with parts of improved design (ASTA P/N 2/N-45-1208 or P/
N 1/N-03-734, respectively or the FAA approved equivalent) in 
accordance with the ``2. Accomplishment Instructions'' section, 
``Part B--Modification by Replacement or Rework'' paragraphs in GAF 
Nomad Alert SB AS/B ANMD-27-27, Revision 1, dated November 5, 1982.
    (c) Accomplishment of the modification in paragraph (b) of this 
AD is considered a terminating action for the repetitive inspections 
required in this AD.
    (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 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 
California, 90712; telephone (562) 627-5224; facsimile (562) 627-
5210. 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 Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

    (f) The inspections and modifications required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with Government Aircraft Factories Nomad Alert 
Service Bulletin AS/B ANMD-27-27, Rev. 1, dated November 5, 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 supersedes AD 82-25-09, Amendment 39-4510.
    (h) This Amendment (39-10004) becomes effective on June 23, 
1997.


[[Page 23642]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 21, 1997.
Larry D. Malir,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-10883 Filed 4-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U