[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3817-3819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1237]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-78-AD; Amendment 39-11007; AD 99-02-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 airplanes. This AD 
requires repetitively inspecting the engine bearer for cracks, and 
replacing the engine bearer with a reinforced part either immediately 
or at a certain time period depending on whether cracks are found 
during the inspections. Replacing the engine bearer with a reinforced 
part terminates the repetitive inspection requirement. This AD is the 
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 
by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified in 
this AD are intended to detect and correct cracks in the engine bearer, 
which could result in the engine separating from the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 29, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 29, 1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 22, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-78-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: 80 44 20 50; facsimile: 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 No. 98-
CE-78-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: Mr. Karl M. Schletzbaum, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; facsimile: 
(816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    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 certain Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 
airplanes. The DGAC reports cracks in the engine bearer in the area of 
the spools.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in the 
engine separating from the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Avions Pierre Robin has issued Service Bulletin No. 97, dated April 
22, 1983, which specifies procedures for inspecting the engine bearer 
for cracks. This service bulletin also specifies replacing the engine 
bearer with a reinforced part.
    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD 83-99-(A), dated June 15, 1983, 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 21.29) 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, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this 
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

[[Page 3818]]

Explanation of the Provisions of This AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 airplanes of 
the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is 
issuing an AD. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the engine 
bearer for cracks, and replacing the engine bearer with a reinforced 
part either immediately or at a certain time period depending on 
whether cracks are found during the inspections. Replacing the engine 
bearer with a reinforced part terminates the repetitive inspection 
requirement. Accomplishment of the inspections required by this AD is 
required in accordance with Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 
97, dated April 22, 1983. The replacement specified in the service 
bulletin and required by this AD shall be accomplished in accordance 
with the applicable maintenance manual.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1 airplane in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 per work hour. Parts cost approximately 
$1,587 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,067.

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comment and therefore is issuing it as a direct final rule. 
The requirements of this direct final rule address an unsafe condition 
identified by a foreign civil airworthiness authority and do not impose 
a significant burden on affected operators. In accordance with Section 
11.17 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 11.17) unless a 
written adverse or negative comment, or a written notice of intent to 
submit an adverse or negative comment, is received within the comment 
period, the regulation will become effective on the date specified 
above. After the close of the comment period, the FAA will publish a 
document in the Federal Register indicating that no adverse or negative 
comments were received and confirming the date on which the final rule 
will become effective. If the FAA does receive, within the comment 
period, a written adverse or negative comment, or written notice of 
intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the direct 
final rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a notice of 
proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment period.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and an 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. 98-CE-78-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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and 
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For reasons 
discussed in the preamble, I certify that this regulation (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 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 a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

99-02-15  Avions Pierre Robin: Amendment 39-11007; Docket No. 98-CE-
78-AD.

    Applicability: Model R2160 airplanes, serial numbers C193 
through C199, and C202; 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 (f) 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 in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To detect and correct cracks in the engine bearer, which could 
result in the engine separating from the airplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
25 hours TIS until the replacement required

[[Page 3819]]

by paragraph (b) of this AD is accomplished, visually inspect the 
engine bearer for cracks. Accomplish the inspections in accordance 
with Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 97, dated April 22, 
1983.
    (b) At whichever of the compliance times in paragraphs (b)(1) 
and (b)(2) of this AD that occurs first, replace the engine bearer 
with a reinforced part (or FAA-approved equivalent), as referenced 
in Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 97, dated April 22, 
1983. Accomplish the replacement in accordance with the applicable 
maintenance manual.
    (1) Prior to further flight if cracks are found during any 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD; or
    (2) Within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (c) Replacing the engine bearer with a reinforced part, as 
specified in paragraph (b) of this AD, is considered terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD.
    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any affected airplane, an engine bearer that is not one of a 
reinforced part (or FAA-approved equivalent part number), as 
referenced in Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 97, dated 
April 22, 1983.
    (e) 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.
    (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
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.

    (g) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 97, dated 
April 22, 1983. 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. 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 83-99-
(A), dated June 15, 1983.

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on March 29, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 12, 1999.
Larry E. Werth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-1237 Filed 1-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U