[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12418-12419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6451]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-146-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aermacchi, S.p.A. S205 Series and
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 certain Aermacchi, S.p.A. (Aermacchi) S205
series and Models S208 and S208A airplanes. The proposed action would
require inspecting the flaps cable pulley bracket for the correct
alignment and correcting if mis-aligned; inspecting the flaps control
cable for wear (nicks, cuts, frays, etc.), and replacing the flaps
control pulley bracket and flap control cable if worn. 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 flap control failure which,
if not corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 24, 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-146-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, Product Support, 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-14-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-146-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, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Aermacchi S205 series and Models
S208 and S208A airplanes. The R.A.I. reports an incident of flap
control failure during flight on one of these Aermacchi airplanes. The
investigation revealed that the flaps control pulley bracket and flaps
control cables were worn. Signs of wear on the pulley bracket would be
defined as mis-alignment of the bracket. Wear on the flaps control
cable would be defined as cuts, frays, nicks, etc. These conditions, if
not corrected, could result in flap control failure, which, could cause
loss of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
SIAI Marchetti has issued Service Bulletin No. 205B60, dated July
24, 1995, which specifies procedures for: inspecting the flaps control
pulley bracket for alignment, and correcting any mis-alignment;
inspecting the flaps control pulley cable for wear, and replacing these
parts if worn.
The R.A.I. classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
Italian AD 95-237, dated August 29, 1995, 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 Aermacchi S205 series and Models S208 and
S208A airplanes
[[Page 12419]]
of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed
AD would require: inspecting the flaps control pulley bracket for
alignment; correcting any mis-alignment; inspecting the flaps control
pulley cable for wear; and, replacing the bracket and cable if worn.
Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with SIAI
Marchetti Service Bulletin No. 205B60, dated July 24, 1995.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 70 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 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 proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $27,300
or $390 per airplane.
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:
Aermacchi, S.P.A.: Docket No. 97-CE-146-AD.
Applicability: Models S205-18/F, S205-18/R, S205-20/F, S205-20/
R, S205-22/R, S208, and S208A 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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent flap control failure which, if not corrected, could
result in loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the flaps cable pulley bracket for mis-alignment,
and if misaligned, prior to further flight, replace the pulley
bracket in accordance with the Instructions section of SIAI
Marchetti Service Bulletin No. 205B60, dated July 24, 1995.
(b) Inspect the flaps control cable for wear (cuts, nicks,
frays, etc.), and if wear is found, prior to further flight, replace
the control cable in accordance with the Instructions section of
SIAI Marchetti Service Bulletin No. 205B60, dated July 24, 1995.
(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.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time 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
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B60, dated July 24, 1995, should
be directed to SIAI Marchetti, Product Support, 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 95-
237, dated August 29, 1995.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 5, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6451 Filed 3-12-98; 8:45 am]
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