[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U