[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 166 (Thursday, August 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45692-45693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22815]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-158-AD; Amendment 39-10720; AD 98-18-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) 
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 Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) series 
airplanes, that requires 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 
terminates the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD. 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 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: Effective October 1, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 
03, France. 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 Aerospatiale Model SN-601 
(Corvette) series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
July 7, 1998 (63 FR 36626). That action proposed to 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 terminates the repetitive inspection 
requirement of this AD.

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.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $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 $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 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:

98-18-04  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10720. 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:

[[Page 45693]]

    (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.
    (e) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Aerospatiale All Operators Telex 
(AOT) A/BTE/AM 499.368/95, dated March 7, 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 Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, 
Cedex 03, France. 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 French 
airworthiness directive 95-054-019 (B), dated March 29, 1995.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 1, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 19, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-22815 Filed 8-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U