[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17669-17670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9139]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 69 / Friday, April 10, 1998 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 17669]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-144-AD; Amendment 39-10455; AD 98-08-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AERMACCI S.p.A. S.205 Series and Models 
S.208 and S.208A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to AERMACCI S.p.A. S.205 series and Models S.208 and S.208A 
airplanes. This AD requires inspecting all flight control cables 
(elevator control, aileron control, rudder, flaps, nose gear steering, 
parking brake, safety belts, and autopilot systems) for cracks in the 
eye end, and replacing any control cable with any crack in the eye end. 
This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of critical airplane 
functions because of cracked flight control cables, which could result 
in loss of control of the airplane if occurring during flight.

DATES: Effective May 26, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this 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 may also be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-144-
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: 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:

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 AERMACCI S.p.A. S.205 
series and Models S.208 and S.208A airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 
2, 1998 (63 FR 5318). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting all 
flight control cables (elevator control, aileron control, rudder, 
flaps, nose gear steering, parking brake, safety belts, and autopilot 
systems) for cracks in the eye end, and replacing any control cable 
with any crack in the eye end. Accomplishment of the proposed action as 
specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B58, not dated.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy.
    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.

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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 70 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the actions required by this AD, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $100 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $91,000, or 
$1,300 per airplane.

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:

[[Page 17670]]

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:

98-08-06  Aermacci S.P.A.: Amendment 39-10455; Docket No. 97-CE-144-
AD.

    Applicability: Models S.205-18/F, S.205-18/R, S.205-20/F, S.205-
20/R, S.205-22/R, 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 (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 loss of critical airplane functions because of 
cracked flight control cables, which could result in loss of control 
of the airplane if occurring during flight, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect all flight control cables 
(elevator control, aileron control, rudder, flaps, nose gear 
steering, parking brake, safety belts, and autopilot systems) for 
cracks in the eye end. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with 
SIAI Marchetti, S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B58.
    (b) If any cracked flight control cable is found, prior to 
further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD, replace the cracked cable with a new cable of the same 
design that is found to be free of cracks in the eye end. The 
replacement(s) shall be accomplished in accordance with the 
applicable maintenance manual.
    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
flight control cable on an affected airplane, unless the cable has 
been found to be free of cracks in the eye end.
    (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 
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.

    (f) Questions or technical information related to SIAI 
Marchetti, S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B58, 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.
    (g) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with SIAI Marchetti, S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. 205B58, dated December 31, 1995. 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 
SIAI Marchetti S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via Indipendenza 
2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy. Copies may be inspected at the 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 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.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on May 26, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 31, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9139 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
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