[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36626-36628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17956]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-158-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Aerospatiale Model SN-601 
(Corvette) series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive 
inspections to detect corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support 
arms of the aileron balance weights; and repair, if necessary. 
Accomplishment of the repair would terminate the repetitive inspection 
requirement of this AD. This proposal is prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support arms 
of the aileron balance weights, which may cause reduced flutter damping 
or jamming of the aileron, and consequent reduced controllability of 
the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-158-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 
03, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.


[[Page 36627]]


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:

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 shall 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 summarizing 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 Number 98-NM-158-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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-158-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on all Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that two cases of failure of the support 
arms of the aileron balance weights have occurred on one in-service 
airplane. Subsequent inspection of seven additional airplanes revealed 
one case of cracking of a support arm of the aileron balance weight. 
Investigation revealed that the cracking developed from the end bending 
radius, through or close to the rear rivet hole of the anchor nut 
plate. Corrosion evidence also was found in the same area. Such 
corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support arms of the aileron 
balance weights, if not corrected, could result in reduced flutter 
damping or jamming of the aileron, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Aerospatiale has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) A/BTE/AM 499.368/
95, dated March 7, 1995, which describes procedures for repetitive 
detailed visual inspections to detect corrosion, cracking, or rupture 
of the support arms of the aileron balance weights, and repair, if 
necessary. Accomplishment of the repair would eliminate the need for 
the repetitive inspections. Accomplishment of the action specified in 
the AOT is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The DGAC classified this AOT as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 95-054-019 (B), dated March 29, 1995, in order 
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) 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, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the AOT described previously, except as 
discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and the Parallel French AD

    Operators should note that, although the French airworthiness 
directive specifies that the manufacturer may be contacted for 
disposition of certain repair conditions, this proposal would require 
the repair of those conditions to be accomplished in accordance with a 
method approved by either the FAA, or the DGAC (or its delegated 
agent). In light of the type of repair that would be required to 
address the identified unsafe condition, and in consonance with 
existing bilateral airworthiness agreements, the FAA has determined 
that, for this proposed AD, a repair approved by either the FAA or the 
DGAC would be acceptable for compliance with this proposed AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $240, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 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 proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 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.

[[Page 36628]]

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 the following new 
airworthiness directive:

    Aerospatiale: Docket 98-NM-158-AD.

    Applicability: All Model SN-601 (Corvette) series airplanes, 
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 (c) 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 corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support arms 
of the aileron balance weights, which may cause reduced flutter 
damping or jamming of the aileron, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 landings or 10 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a detailed visual 
inspection to detect corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support 
arms of the aileron balance weights, in accordance with Aerospatiale 
All Operators Telex (AOT) A/BTE/AM 499.368/95, dated March 7, 1995.
    (1) If no corrosion, cracking, or rupture is detected on the 
support arms, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 200 flight hours or 6 months, whichever occurs earlier.
    (2) If any corrosion, cracking, or rupture is detected on the 
support arms: Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, prior 
to further flight, repair in accordance with the AOT. Accomplishment 
of this repair constitutes terminating action for the repetitive 
inspection requirements of this AD.
    (b) If any corrosion, cracking, or rupture is detected on the 
support arms, and Aerospatiale All Operators Telex (AOT) A/BTE/AM 
499.368/95, dated March 7, 1995, specifies to contact Aerospatiale 
for an appropriate repair: Prior to further flight, repair in 
accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated 
agent).
    (c) 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. 
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.
    (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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 95-054-019 (B), dated March 29, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 30, 1998.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17956 Filed 7-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P