[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11631-11632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6020]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 46 / Tuesday, March 10, 1998 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-297-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.
(CASA) Model C-212 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain CASA Model C-212 series
airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection of the
lower shaft and support structure of the rudder for corrosion, repair
of any discrepancy found, and modification of the structure. This
proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent corrosion from
developing in the lower shaft and support structure of the rudder,
which could result in the failure of the rudder lower shaft and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 9, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-297-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
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 shall 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 summarizing 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 Number 97-NM-297-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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-297-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direccion General de Aviacion (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for Spain, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain CASA Model C-212 series airplanes. The
DGAC advises that at least one C-212 series airplane in service was
found to have corrosion in the lower shaft and support structure of the
rudder, due to the entry of water through the space between the upper
bearing and the fuselage structure. This condition, if not corrected,
could result in the failure of the rudder lower shaft, and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
CASA has issued Service Bulletin SB-212-27-34, dated November 22,
1993, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection of the lower
shaft and support structure of the rudder for corrosion, and repair of
any discrepancy found. The service bulletin also describes procedures
for modification of the lower shaft and its support structure. The
modification includes installation of new upper and lower supports for
the rudder lower shaft, incorporation of drain holes, and installation
of a protective cover and seal to protect the area where the rudder
shaft passes through the structure. Accomplishment of the actions
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the
identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin
as mandatory and issued Spanish airworthiness directive 06/96, dated
May 21, 1996, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Spain.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Spain and is 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 DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
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Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously,
except as discussed below.
Differences Between the Foreign AD and This Proposed AD
Operators should note that, although the Spanish airworthiness
directive requires modification within two months after the effective
date of that airworthiness directive, this proposed AD would require
accomplishment of the modification within seven months after the
effective date of this proposed AD. CASA has advised the FAA that
modification kits would be delivered within six months after the order
date.
In developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD, the FAA
considered the degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject
unsafe condition and the minimum time necessary for operators to order,
receive, and install kits. In light of these factors, the FAA has
determined that an interval of seven months is necessary to allow time
for U.S. operators to order, receive, and install modification kits
from CASA. The FAA finds a compliance time of seven months for
accomplishing the modification to be warranted, in that it represents
an appropriate interval of time allowable for affected airplanes to
continue to operate without compromising safety.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 38 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 7 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $400 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $31,160,
or $820 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted.
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 proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 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, 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 the following new
airworthiness directive:
Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Docket 97-NM-297-AD.
Applicability: Model C-212 series airplanes, as listed in CASA
Service Bulletin SB-212-27-34, dated November 22, 1993, 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 (b) 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, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent corrosion from developing in the lower shaft and
support structure of the rudder, which could result in the failure
of the rudder lower shaft and consequent reduced controllability of
the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 7 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, in accordance
with CASA Service Bulletin SB-212-27-34, dated November 22, 1993.
(1) Inspect the rudder lower shaft and support structure for
corrosion; and, prior to further flight, repair any discrepancy
found. And
(2) Modify the rudder lower shaft and support structure to
prevent the entry and accumulation of water.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(c) 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Spanish
airworthiness directive 06/96, dated May 21, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6020 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U