[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19388-19390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10177]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-88-AD; Amendment 39-10477; AD 98-08-28]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R3000/160 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all Avions Pierre Robin (Avions) Model R3000/160 airplanes. 
This action requires replacing the top bolts in the front wheel fork 
assembly and the top bolts attaching the front landing gear to the 
engine mount. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for France. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
collapse of the nose landing gear, which could result in loss of 
control of the airplane during taxi and landing operations.

DATES: Effective May 15, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 15, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-88-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from 
Avions Pierre Robin, 1 route de Troyes 21121 Darois, France; telephone: 
03.80.44.20.50; facsimile: 03.80.35.60.80. This information may also be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-88-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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

[[Page 19389]]

Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri; 
telephone: (816) 426-6934, facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all Avions Model R3000/160 airplanes. The 
DGAC reports that the two top bolts connecting the front wheel fork to 
the sliding leg, and the two top bolts attaching the front landing gear 
to the engine mount, broke while being installed during a routine 
maintenance inspection. The bolts failed when torqued onto the landing 
gear assembly.
    The DGAC investigation revealed that the materials used during 
manufacture of the bolts were not of high enough strength to 
accommodate the load conditions required for these airplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in collapse of the 
nose landing gear during taxi or landing operations.

Relevant Service Information

    Avions has issued Service Bulletin No. 151, dated July 8, 1996, 
which specifies procedures for replacing the two top bolts, part number 
(P/N) 27.36.36.001, with new bolts of improved design, P/N 
42.36.00.050.
    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD 96-285(A), dated December 4, 1996, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

The FAA's Determination

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) 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, including the service information and 
modification 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 This AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Avions Model R3000/160 airplanes of the same 
type design registered in the United States, the FAA is issuing an AD. 
This AD requires replacing the two top bolts connecting the front wheel 
fork to the sliding leg, and the two top bolts attaching the front 
landing gear to the engine mount. Accomplishment of the replacement 
would be in accordance with Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 
151, dated July 8, 1996.

Cost Impact

    None of the Avions Model R3000/160 airplanes affected by this 
action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the 
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers this rule necessary to 
ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of 
these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register, accomplishment of the required replacement would take 
approximately 2 workhours at an average labor charge of $60 per 
workhour. Parts cost approximately $50 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be $170 per airplane 
that would become registered in the United States.

The Effective Date of This AD

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 97-CE-88-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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 19390]]

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:

98-08-28  Avions Pierre Robin: Amendment 39-10477; Docket No. 97-CE-
88-AD.

    Applicability: Model R3000/160 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 prior to further flight after the effective 
date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent collapse of the nose landing gear, which could result 
in loss of control of the airplane during taxi and landing 
operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the top two bolts, part number (P/N) 27.36.36.001 or 
an FAA-approved equivalent part number, that connect the front wheel 
fork to the sliding legs with bolts of improved design, P/N 
42.36.00.050 or an FAA-approved equivalent part number, in 
accordance with Avions Pierre Robin (Avions) Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. 151, dated July 8, 1996.
    (b) Replace the top two bolts, part number (P/N) 27.36.36.001 or 
an FAA-approved equivalent part number, that attach the front 
landing gear to the engine mount with bolts of improved design, P/N 
42.36.00.050 or an FAA-approved equivalent part number, in 
accordance with Avions SB No. 151, dated July 8, 1996.
    (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, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 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 Avions Pierre 
Robin Service Bulletin No. 151, dated July 8, 1996, should be 
directed to Avions Pierre Robin, 1 route de Troyes 21121 Darois, 
France; telephone 03.80.44.20.50; facsimile 03.80.35.60.80. 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.
    (f) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 151, dated 
July 8, 1996. 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 Avions Pierre Robin, 
1 route de Troyes 21121 Darois, France; telephone 03.80.44.20.50; 
facsimile 03.80.35.60.80. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD No. 96-
285(A), dated December 4, 1996.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on May 15, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 9, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10177 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U