[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5324-5325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2416]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-140-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; AERMACCI S.p.A. Models S208 and S208A
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to all AERMACCI S.p.A. Models S.208 and S.208A
airplanes. The proposed action would require inspecting the landing
gear rod springs to assure they are made with a wire diameter of 4.5
millimeters (mm), and replacing any that have a wire diameter of 4.0
mm. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of
the landing gear caused by an insufficient wire diameter of the rod
springs, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during
landing operations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 9, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-140-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays
excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from SIAI Marchetti S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via
Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-
929117; facsimile: +39-331-922525. This information also may be
examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David O. Keenan, Project Officer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-140-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-140-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Registro Aeronautico Italiano (R.A.I.), which is the
airworthiness authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on AERMACCI S.p.A. Models S.208 and S.208A
airplanes. The R.A.I. reports that the above-referenced airplanes could
have landing gear rod springs that have a wire diameter of 4.0
millimeters (mm) instead of 4.5 mm.
This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result
in failure of the landing gear with possible loss of control of the
airplane during landing operations.
Relevant Service Information
SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. has issued Service Bulletin No. 205B59, dated
July 29, 1995, which includes procedures for inspecting the landing
gear rod springs for the correct wire diameter on the above-referenced
airplanes, and specifies replacing any landing gear rod springs with an
incorrect wire diameter.
The R.A.I. classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
Italian AD 97-143 dated May 20, 1997, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in Italy.
The FAA's Determination
These airplane models are manufactured in Italy and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the R.A.I. has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the R.A.I.; reviewed all
available information, including the service information referenced
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other AERMACCI S.p.A. Models S.208 and S.208A
airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the
FAA is proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require inspecting
the landing gear rod springs to assure they are made with a wire
diameter of 4.5 millimeters (mm), and replacing any that have a wire
diameter of 4.0 mm. Accomplishment of the proposed inspection would be
in accordance with the previously referenced service information.
Accomplishment of the proposed replacement, if applicable, would be in
accordance with the maintenance manual.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 6 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 9
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
[[Page 5325]]
approximately $15 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,330,
or $555 per airplane. This figure is based on the presumption that all
of the affected airplanes would have landing gear rod springs with an
incorrect diameter, and would require replacement of these rod springs.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would 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) if promulgated,
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 draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
AERMACCI S.P.A.: Docket No. 97-CE-140-AD.
Applicability: Models S.208 and S.208A 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 (d) 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 landing gear caused by an insufficient
wire diameter of the rod springs, which could result in loss of
control of the airplane during landing operations, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD, inspect the landing gear rod springs to
assure they are made with a wire diameter of 4.5 millimeters (mm).
Accomplish this inspection in accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A.
Service Bulletin No. 205B59, dated July 29, 1995.
(b) If any landing gear rod springs are found to have a wire
diameter of 4.0 mm, prior to further flight after the inspection
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, replace these rod springs with
rod springs that have a wire diameter of 4.5 mm. Accomplish this
replacement in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut,
suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(e) Questions or technical information related to SIAI Marchetti
S.r.1 Service Bulletin No. 205B59, dated July 29, 1995, should be
directed to SIAI Marchetti S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via
Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-
929117; facsimile: +39-331-922525. This service information may be
examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 97-
143, dated May 20, 1997.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 26, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2416 Filed 1-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U