[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 54 (Monday, March 20, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14847-14848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6162]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-57-AD; Amendment 39-11633; AD 2000-05-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Ayres Corporation S2R Series 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 all Ayres Corporation (Ayres) S2R series airplanes that are 
equipped with at least one main landing gear fuselage attach bolt with 
a grease fitting installed through the shank. This AD requires 
replacing the main landing gear fuselage attach bolts that are drilled 
with a grease fitting with undrilled (no grease access) attach bolts. 
This AD is the result of a report of cracks found in all four main 
landing gear fuselage attach bolts on one of the affected airplanes. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent collapse of 
the main landing gear caused by cracked main landing gear fuselage 
attach bolts, which could result in main landing gear collapse with 
possible wing fuel tank rupture and consequent fire.

DATES: Effective May 5, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 5, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Ayres Corporation, P.O. Box 3090, One Ayres Way, Albany, Georgia 
31706-3090; telephone: (912) 883-1440; facsimile: (912) 439-9790. This 
information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-CE-57-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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: Satish Lall, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix 
Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-
6082; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.

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 all Ayres S2R series 
airplanes of the same type design, that are equipped with at least one 
main landing gear fuselage attach bolt with a grease fitting installed 
through the shank, was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 24, 1999 (64 FR 66116). The NPRM 
proposed to require replacing the main landing gear fuselage attach 
bolts that are drilled with a grease fitting with undrilled (no grease 
access) attach bolts. Accomplishment of the proposed action as 
specified in the NPRM would be required in accordance with both Ayres 
Service Bulletin No. SB-AG-42, dated June 16, 1999, and the applicable 
maintenance manual.
    The NPRM was the result of a report of cracks found in all four 
main landing gear fuselage attach bolts on one of the affected 
airplanes.
    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 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 
minor

[[Page 14848]]

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 the Service Bulletin and this AD

    Ayres Service Bulletin No. SB-AG-42, dated June 16, 1999, specifies 
repetitive inspections and repetitive replacements of the main landing 
gear fuselage attach bolts. The FAA does not have justification to 
mandate the repetitive inspections and repetitive replacements. Based 
on all available information, the FAA has determined that initially 
replacing the main landing gear fuselage attach bolts with attach bolts 
of improved design will correct the unsafe condition on the affected 
airplanes.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1,000 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the replacement, and that the average labor rate 
is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $88 per airplane 
(4 bolts per airplane at $22 each). Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $328,000, 
or $328 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2000-05-23 Ayres Corporation: Amendment 39-11633; Docket No. 99-CE-
57-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplane models, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category, that have at least one main 
landing gear fuselage attach bolt (that is drilled with a grease 
fitting), part number 21418T001 or 21418T005 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent part number):

Models

    S-2R, S2R-G1, S2R-G5, S2R-G6, S2R-G10, S2R-R3S, S2R-T11, S2R-
T15, S2R-T34, S2R-T45, S2R-T65, S2R-R1340, S2R-R1820, S2RHG-T34, and 
S2RHG-T65.

    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 collapse of the main landing gear caused by cracked 
main landing gear fuselage attach bolts, which could result in main 
landing gear collapse with possible wing fuel tank rupture and 
consequent fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, replace each main landing gear fuselage 
attach bolt that is drilled with a grease fitting with an undrilled 
(no grease access) attach bolt, part number AN10-33 or NAS6610-42D 
(or FAA-approved equivalent part number). Accomplish this 
replacement in accordance with both Ayres Service Bulletin No. SB-
AG-42, dated June 16, 1999, and the applicable maintenance manual.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any affected airplane, a main landing gear fuselage attach bolt 
(that is drilled with a grease fitting), part number 21418T001 or 
21418T005 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number).
    (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 times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30349. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate 
FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to 
the Manager, Atlanta ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

    (e) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Ayres Service Bulletin No. SB-AG-42, dated June 16, 
1999. 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 Ayres Corporation, P.O. Box 
3090, One Ayres Way, Albany, Georgia 31706-3090. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 5, 2000.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 7, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-6162 Filed 3-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P