[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10114-10116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5036]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-81-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 
airplanes. The proposed AD would require inspecting to assure that the 
fuel filler cap has a 2.5 millimeter (mm) diameter hole drilled through 
it or that a vinyl piping is connected to the filler neck inside the 
cabin. If neither of these items exists, the proposed AD would require 
replacing the fuel filler cap with a fuel filler cap that has a 2.5 mm 
diameter hole drilled through it. The proposed AD is the result of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified in this 
proposed AD are intended to detect and correct the installation of 
improperly designed fuel venting system parts, which could result in an 
inadequate fuel supply to the engine with loss of engine power.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 26, 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-81-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Avions Pierre Robin, 1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-France; 
telephone: 33-3 80 44 20 50; facsimile: 33-3 80 35 60 80. This 
information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address 
above.

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:

[[Page 10115]]

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 should 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 that summarizes 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 No. 98-CE-81-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, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-81-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

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 certain Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 
airplanes. The DGAC reports that deformation of the fuel tank could 
result if one of the following does not exist:

--The fuel filler cap has a 2.5 millimeter (mm) diameter hole drilled 
through it; or
--A vinyl piping is connected to the filler neck inside the cabin.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in an inadequate 
fuel supply to the engine with loss of engine power.

Relevant Service Information

    Avions Pierre Robin has issued Service Bulletin No. 135, dated May 
17, 1994, which specifies procedures for inspecting the fuel tank 
filler cap for proper ventilation; and specifies replacing the fuel 
filler cap with a fuel filler cap that has a 2.5 mm diameter hole 
drilled through it, part number (P/N) 52.23.07.010 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent P/N).
    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD 94-130(A), dated June 8, 1994, 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.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed 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 
proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require inspecting to assure 
that the fuel filler cap has a 2.5 millimeter (mm) diameter hole 
drilled through it or that a vinyl piping is connected to the filler 
neck inside the cabin. If neither of these items exists, the proposed 
AD would require replacing the fuel filler cap with a fuel filler cap 
that has the hole drilled through it, P/N 52.23.07.010 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent P/N).
    Accomplishment of the proposed inspections would be required in 
accordance with Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 135, dated May 
17, 1994. The proposed replacement (if necessary) would be required in 
accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 
workhour per airplane to accomplish both the proposed inspections and 
replacement (if necessary), and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 per work hour. Parts (if necessary) cost 
approximately $60 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,200, 
or $120 per airplane.

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 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) 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 has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of 
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location 
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

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 a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Avions Pierre Robin: Docket No. 98-CE-81-AD.

    Applicability: Model R2160 airplanes, all serial numbers up to 
and including serial number 249, certificated in any category.


[[Page 10116]]


    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 (d) 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 the installation of improperly designed 
fuel venting system parts, which could result in an inadequate fuel 
supply to the engine with loss of engine power, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect to assure that the fuel filler 
cap has a 2.5 millimeter (mm) diameter hole drilled through it or 
that a vinyl piping is connected to the filler neck inside the 
cabin. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with Avions Pierre 
Robin Service Bulletin No. 135, dated May 17, 1994.
    (b) If neither of the conditions specified in paragraph (a) of 
this AD exists, prior to further flight, replace the fuel filler cap 
with a fuel filler cap that has a 2.5 mm diameter hole drilled 
through it, part number (P/N) 52.23.07.010 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent P/N). Accomplish this replacement in accordance with the 
applicable maintenance manual.
    (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) 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.
    (e) Questions or technical information related to the service 
information referenced in this AD should be directed to Avions 
Pierre Robin, 1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-France; telephone: 
33-3 80 44 20 50; facsimile: 33-3 80 35 60 80. This service 
information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 94-
130(A), dated June 8, 1994.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 22, 1999.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5036 Filed 3-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U