[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 204 (Thursday, October 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56545-56546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28158]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-185-AD; Amendment 39-10850; AD 98-22-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. 
(CASA) Model C-212 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to all CASA Model C-212 series airplanes, that 
currently requires replacement of the cover of the power control 
quadrant pedestal with a cover that incorporates slot protection. This 
amendment requires repetitive inspections for deterioration or damage 
of the slot protection installed in the cover of the power control 
quadrant pedestal. This amendment also requires eventual modification 
of the cover, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections. 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 
deterioration of the slot protection installed in the cover of the 
power control quadrant pedestal, which could allow foreign objects to 
jam or interfere with the power or trim control system and result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective November 27, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 27, 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) by superseding AD 87-05-05 R2, 
amendment 39-5968 (53 FR 26039, July 11, 1988), which is applicable to 
all CASA Model C-212 series airplanes, was published in the Federal 
Register on August 26, 1998 (63 FR 45419). The action proposed to 
require repetitive inspections for deterioration or damage of the slot 
protection installed in the cover of the power control quadrant 
pedestal. The action also proposed to require eventual modification of 
the cover, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections.

[[Page 56546]]

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

    There are approximately 38 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD.
    The inspection that is required in this new AD action will take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, 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 $2,280, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The modification that is required in this new AD action will take 
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$1,200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$52,440, or $1,380 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 removing amendment 39-5968 (53 FR 
26039, July 11, 1988), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-10850, to read as follows:

98-22-04  Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
10850. Docket 98-NM-185-AD. Supersedes AD 87-05-05 R2, amendment 39-
5968.

    Applicability: Model C-212 series airplanes, as listed in CASA 
C-212 Service Bulletin 212-76-08, dated April 12, 1993; 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)(1) 
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 deterioration of the slot protection installed in the 
cover of the power control quadrant pedestal, which could allow 
foreign objects to jam or interfere with the power or trim control 
system and result in reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 300 hours time-in-service or 3 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a visual 
inspection for deterioration or damage of the slot protection 
installed in the cover of the power control quadrant pedestal.
    (1) If no deterioration or damage is detected, repeat the 
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-
service or 3 months, whichever occurs first.
    (2) If any deterioration or damage is detected, or if no slot 
protection is installed, prior to further flight, accomplish the 
modification required by paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (b) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the cover of the power control quadrant pedestal by installing new, 
improved slot protection, in accordance with CASA C-212 Service 
Bulletin SB-212-76-08, dated April 12, 1993. Such modification 
constitutes terminating action for the inspection requirements of 
paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c)(1) 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.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in 
accordance with AD 87-05-05 R2, amendment 39-5968, are not 
considered to be approved as alternative methods of compliance with 
this AD.

    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) The modification shall be done in accordance with CASA C-212 
Service Bulletin SB-212-76-08, dated April 12, 1993. 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 04/96, dated May 13, 1996.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 27, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 14, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-28158 Filed 10-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U