[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 218 (Friday, November 12, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61475-61477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28745]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-365-AD; Amendment 39-11402; AD 99-23-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette)
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 all Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) series
airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections, and repair if
necessary, of the locking indication system of the drag strut jack on
the main landing gear (MLG) to detect corrosion and damage resulting
from its operation. This proposal also requires replacement of seals
and backup rings with new parts. 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 failure of the locking indication system of the drag strut
jack on the MLG due to corrosion. Such corrosion could prevent the MLG
from locking and result in the subsequent collapse of the MLG.
DATES: Effective December 17, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 17, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex
03, France. 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
[[Page 61476]]
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 all Aerospatiale Model SN-601
(Corvette) series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
September 10, 1999 (64 FR 49113). That action proposed to require
repetitive inspections, and repair if necessary, of the locking
indication system of the drag strut jack on the main landing gear (MLG)
to detect corrosion and damage resulting from its operation. That
action also proposed to require replacement of seals and backup rings
with new parts.
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 8 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate
is $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts will be minimal. Based
on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $960, or $480 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
99-23-06 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-11402. Docket 98-NM-365-AD.
Applicability: All Model SN-601 (Corvette) series airplanes,
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 (b) 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 failure of the locking indication system of the drag
strut jack on the main landing gear (MLG) due to corrosion that
could prevent the MLG from locking and result in the subsequent
collapse of the MLG, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 3,600 flight hours or 36 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a detailed visual
inspection to detect certain discrepancies of the locking indication
system on the drag strut jack on the MLG, in accordance with
Messier-Dowty Technical Instruction No. 20403, Issue 2, dated March
1998. Prior to reassembling the parts, replace all the seals and
backup rings with new parts, in accordance with the Technical
Instruction.
(1) If no corrosion is found on either plunger, prior to further
flight, inspect for the free displacement of both plungers, in
accordance with the Technical Instruction.
(i) If the displacement of both plungers is free without any
hard points, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this
AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 72 months.
(ii) If the displacement of either plunger is not free, prior to
further flight, replace the plunger with a new plunger, in
accordance with the Technical Instruction. Repeat the inspection
required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 72 months.
(2) If corrosion is found on either plunger, prior to further
flight, replace the plunger with a new plunger, in accordance with
the Technical Instruction. Repeat the inspection thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 72 months.
(3) If no corrosion, marking, binding, or peening is found on
any disassembled part removed from the stacking, other than the
plungers, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 72 months.
(4) If any corrosion, marking, binding or peening is found on
any disassembled parts removed from the stacking, other than the
plungers, prior to further flight, replace the part with a new part,
in accordance with the Technical Instruction. Repeat the inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 72 months.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
[[Page 61477]]
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Messier-Dowty
Technical Instruction No. 20403, Issue 2, dated March 1998. 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 Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne,
31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 98-179-021(B), dated May 6, 1998.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on December 17, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 28, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28745 Filed 11-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U