[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 62 (Thursday, April 1, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15659-15660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7690]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-219-AD; Amendment 39-11098; AD 99-07-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.
(CASA) Model CN-235 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 certain CASA Model CN-235 series airplanes. This
amendment requires a one-time visual inspection to detect relative
movement or deformation of the joint areas of the rear attaching
supports and lower skin of the left and right outer flaps; repetitive
borescopic inspections to detect cracking of the spar and of the rear
internal support fittings of the outer flaps; and corrective actions,
if necessary. This amendment also provides for optional 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 detect and correct fatigue cracking of the rear internal
support fittings of the outer flap structure, which could result in
failure of the outer flaps, and consequent reduced controllability of
the airplane.
DATES: Effective May 6, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 6, 1999.
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) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain CASA Model CN-235 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 20, 1999 (64
FR 3052). That action proposed to require a one-time visual inspection
to detect relative movement or deformation of the joint areas of the
rear attaching supports and lower skin of the left and right outer
flaps; repetitive borescopic inspections to detect cracking of the spar
and of the rear internal support fittings of the outer flaps; and
corrective actions, if necessary. That action also proposed to provide
for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
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 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required visual inspection, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the visual inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators
is estimated to be $120, or $60 per airplane.
It will take approximately 4 work hours to accomplish the required
borescopic inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the borescopic inspection
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480, or $240
per airplane, per inspection cycle.
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.
Should an operator elect to accomplish the terminating action that
is provided by this AD action, it would take approximately 30 work
hours to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The
cost of required
[[Page 15660]]
parts would be approximately $123,204 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the optional terminating action would be
$125,004 per airplane.
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:
99-07-13 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
11098. Docket 98-NM-219-AD.
Applicability: Model CN-235 series airplanes, as listed in CASA
Service Bulletin SB-235-57-20, dated December 23, 1997; and Model
CN-235 series airplanes having serial number C-011; 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 (e) 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 detect and correct fatigue cracking of the rear internal
support fittings of the outer flap structure, which could result in
failure of the outer flaps, and consequent reduced controllability
of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 4,000 total landings, or within
30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later,
perform a one-time detailed visual inspection to detect relative
movement or deformation of the joint areas of the rear attaching
supports and lower skin of the left and right outer flaps, in
accordance with CASA Maintenance Instructions COM 235-123, Revision
01, dated October 7, 1997.
(1) If no relative movement or deformation is detected: Within
300 landings, perform the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD.
(2) If any relative movement or deformation is detected: Prior
to further flight, perform the requirements of paragraph (b) of this
AD.
(b) Remove the rear support attach bolts, one at a time, and
perform a borescopic inspection to detect cracking of the spar and
of the rear internal support fittings of the outer flaps, in
accordance with CASA Maintenance Instructions COM 235-123, Revision
01, dated October 7, 1997.
(1) If no crack is detected, repeat the borescopic inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 landings until the
replacement specified in paragraph (c) of this AD is accomplished.
(2) If any crack is detected, prior to further flight, replace the
cracked outer flap with a new outer flap on which modified rear
internal support fittings are installed, in accordance with CASA
Service Bulletin SB-235-57-20, dated December 23, 1997. Such
replacement constitutes terminating action for the repetitive
borescopic inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD for the
replaced outer flap only.
(c) Accomplishment of the replacement specified in CASA Service
Bulletin SB-235-57-20, dated December 23, 1997, constitutes terminating
action for the repetitive borescopic inspections required by paragraph
(b) of this AD.
(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install on
any airplane an outer flap having part number 35-15501-00.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) 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.
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.
Special Flight Permits
(f) 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(g) The inspections shall be done in accordance with CASA
Maintenance
Instructions COM 235-123, Revision 01, dated October 7, 1997. The
replacement, if accomplished, shall be done in accordance with CASA
Service Bulletin SB-235-57-20, dated December 23, 1997, as applicable.
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 01/97, dated March 19, 1997.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on May 6, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 23, 1999.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7690 Filed 3-31-99; 8:45 am]
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