[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24029-24031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10968]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-79-AD; Amendment 39-11155; AD 99-10-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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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 replacing the wing attachment bolts and associated hardware. 
This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent a wing from separating 
from the airplane caused by damaged wing attachment bolts, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective June 18, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 18, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this 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 may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-CE-79-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

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Avions Pierre 
Robin Model R2160 airplanes was published

[[Page 24030]]

in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on 
March 2, 1999 (64 FR 10116). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the 
wing attachment bolts and associated hardware.
    Accomplishment of the proposed replacement as specified in the NPRM 
would be required in accordance with Avions Pierre Robin NOTE NAV 96-3, 
dated May 2, 1996.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    The manufacturer has informed the FAA that the effectivity of the 
AD should cover all Model R2160 airplanes up to serial number 299 
instead of serial numbers 001 through 264; 266 through 269; and 272 
through 288, as published in the NPRM. None of these additional Model 
R2160 airplanes are registered in the United States. However, the FAA 
has determined that the AD should still apply to these serial numbered 
airplanes to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event 
that any of these airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register. Because the referenced airplanes are not on the U.S. 
register, adding these serial numbered airplanes to the final rule will 
not increase the burden upon the public over that already proposed in 
the NPRM.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
the addition of certain airplanes not registered in the United States 
and minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these 
minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not 
add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Differences Between Service Bulletin, French AD, and This AD

    Avions Robin Service Bulletin No. 145, rev. 2, dated January 11, 
1999, and NOTE NAV 96-3, dated May 2, 1996, specify checking the torque 
value of the wing attachment bolts at each 100-hour maintenance visit, 
and French AD 96-051(A) R1, dated June 5, 1996, requires these checks 
for those airplanes registered for operation in France.
    These checks are part of the maintenance schedule and are 
considered a general maintenance item. Because the FAA has no 
justification to mandate AD action for general maintenance, this AD 
only incorporates the replacement of the wing attachment bolts and 
associated hardware and does not include the torque value checks.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 40 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the replacements, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 per work hour. Parts cost approximately $200 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $26,000, or $2,600 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 copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained 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,
    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:

99-10-01  Avions Pierre Robin: Amendment 39-11155; Docket No. 98-CE-
79-AD.

    Applicability: Model R2160 airplanes, serial numbers 001 through 
298, 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 (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 prevent a wing from separating from the airplane caused by 
damaged wing attachment bolts, which could result in loss of control 
of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, replace the wing attachment bolts and 
associated hardware, in accordance with Avions Pierre Robin NOTE NAV 
96-3, dated May 2, 1996.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any affected airplane, wing attachment bolts and associated 
hardware that are not specified in Avions Pierre Robin NOTE NAV 96-
3, dated May 2, 1996, unless the parts are an FAA-approved 
equivalent to that referenced in the service information.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 time 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

[[Page 24031]]

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.
    (f) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Avions Pierre Robin NOTE NAV 96-3, dated May 2, 
1996. 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 96-
051(A) R1, dated June 5, 1996.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on June 18, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27, 1999.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-10968 Filed 5-4-99; 8:45 am]
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