[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 26, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28482-28483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13395]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-331-AD; Amendment 39-10538; AD 98-11-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. 
(CASA) Model CN-235 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all CASA Model CN-235 series airplanes, that requires 
modification of the passenger and crew doors and repetitive visual 
inspections, adjustments, and tests of the passenger and crew door 
latching and locking systems to ensure correct operation. This 
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent inadvertent opening of a 
door during flight of the airplane, which could result in rapid 
decompression of the passenger cabin.

DATES: Effective June 30, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. 
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all CASA Model CN-235 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 27, 1998 (63 
FR 14861). That action proposed to require modification of the 
passenger and crew doors and repetitive visual inspections, 
adjustments, and tests of the passenger and crew door latching and 
locking systems to ensure correct operation.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Editorial Changes

    In the proposed AD, the FAA inadvertently omitted a reference to 
Annex I, Revision 2, and Annex II, Revision 2, of CASA Communication 
COM 235-098, Revision 02, dated October 19, 1995. Therefore, the FAA 
has revised paragraph (a)(2) of the final rule accordingly.
    Additionally, the FAA has revised paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this 
final rule to include a reference to the CASA COM mentioned previously, 
which was inadvertently omitted from the proposed AD.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously described. 
The FAA has

[[Page 28483]]

determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480, or $240 per 
airplane, per inspection cycle.
    It will take approximately 60 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $406 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,012, or $4,006 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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:

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:

98-11-11  Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
10538. Docket 97-NM-331-AD.

    Applicability: All Model CN-235 series airplanes, including 
serial number (S/N) C-011, 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 inadvertent opening of a door during flight, which 
could result in rapid decompression of the passenger cabin, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 3 months or 300 flight hours after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs later, accomplish the requirements of 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Modify the passenger and crew doors in accordance with CASA 
Service Bulletin SB-235-52-54, Revision 1, dated October 24, 1995; 
and
    (2) Perform follow-on actions (i.e., inspections for 
discrepancies, adjustments, and tests) in accordance with CASA COM 
235-098, Revision 02, dated October 19, 1995, including Annex I, 
Revision 2, and Annex II, Revision 2. If any discrepancy is found, 
prior to further flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action 
in accordance with the COM. Thereafter accomplish the requirements 
of paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Repeat the visual inspection for discrepancies of the 
passenger door and crew door latching and locking systems, in 
accordance with paragraph 1. of CASA COM 235-098, Revision 02, dated 
October 19, 1995, at intervals not to exceed 300 flight hours. If 
any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, accomplish the 
applicable corrective action in accordance with the COM.
    (ii) Repeat adjustments and tests of the door latching and 
locking systems, in accordance with paragraphs 2. and 3. of CASA COM 
235-093, Revision 02, dated October 19, 1995; and paragraph V of 
Annex II of CASA COM 235-098, Revision 02, dated October 19, 1995; 
at intervals not to exceed 1,200 flight hours. If any discrepancy is 
found during any adjustment or test, prior to further flight, 
accomplish the applicable corrective action in accordance with the 
COM.
    (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.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with CASA Service 
Bulletin SB-235-52-54, Revision 1, dated October 24, 1995, and CASA 
Communication COM 235-098, Revision 02, dated October 19, 1995, 
including Annex I, Revision 2, and Annex II, Revision 2. 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 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., 
Getafe, Madrid, Spain. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 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 Spanish 
airworthiness directive 3/95, Revision 1, dated October 1, 1995.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 30, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 14, 1998.
John J. Hickey,
 Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13395 Filed 5-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U