[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43814-43815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20941]



[[Page 43814]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-17-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft, Inc. SA226 Series 
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 Fairchild Aircraft, Inc. (Fairchild) 
SA226 series airplanes equipped with Hydromotive Model V1-15-1000 brake 
master cylinders. The proposed AD would require you to replace these 
brake master cylinders with new or overhauled units of the same design. 
The proposed AD is the result of reports of dragging brakes during taxi 
operations. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
correct and prevent future malfunctioning brake master cylinders. 
Malfunctioning brake master cylinders could cause dragging brakes, 
which can result in overheated brakes and a wheelwell fire if the 
dragging takes place during takeoff and the gear is later retracted.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this rule by October 29, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send three copies of comments to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-17-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be 
inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Fairchild Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 
78279-0490; telephone: (210) 824-9421; facsimile: (210) 820-8609. You 
may read this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5133; facsimile: (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How do I Comment on the Proposed AD?

    We invite your comments on the proposed rule. You may send whatever 
written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to include the 
rule's docket number and send your comments in triplicate to the 
address named under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date named above, before taking action 
on the proposed rule. We may change the proposals contained in this 
notice because of the comments received.

Are There any Specific Portions of the Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention to?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule that 
might call for a need to change the proposed rule. You may read all 
comments we receive in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the 
Rules Docket that summarizes each FAA contact with the public that 
concerns the substantive parts of this proposal.
    The FAA is reexamining the writing style we currently use in 
regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of 
June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate 
more clearly with the public. We want to read your comments on the ease 
of understanding this document, and any other suggestions you might 
have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect you. You 
can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and the 
plain language initiative at http://www.faa.gov/language/.

How can I be Sure FAA Receives my Comment?

    If you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you 
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write 
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-CE-17-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused this AD?

    The FAA received several reports of dragging brakes on Fairchild 
SA226 series airplanes when the brake pedals were operated during taxi 
operations. After troubleshooting by maintenance personnel, the problem 
was traced to the master brake cylinder. Disassembly of the 
malfunctioning master cylinders revealed broken check valve spring 
washers that, together with the action of the shuttle valve, prevented 
the release of brake pressure when the brake pedal was released after a 
brake application. Based on observed failures, FAA has determined that 
the brake master cylinders should be replaced at intervals of 15,000 
hours time-in-service.

What are the Consequences if the Condition is not Corrected?

    This condition, if not detected or corrected, could cause dragging 
brakes, which can result in overheated brakes and cause an in-flight 
wheelwell fire if the dragging takes place during takeoff and the gear 
is later retracted.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the 
Proposed AD What has FAA decided?

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, we have 
determined that:
    --the unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Fairchild SA226 Series airplanes of the same type 
design equipped with Hydromotive Model V1-15-1000 brake master 
cylinders; and
    --AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe 
condition.

What Would the Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to replace or overhaul the brake 
master cylinders. Procedures are in the applicable Fairchild 
maintenance manual.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would the Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that the proposed AD affects 125 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of the Proposed AD on Owners/Operators of 
the Affected Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements:

[[Page 43815]]



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                                             New or overhauled parts     Total cost
                Labor cost                   cost  (4 parts for each        per           Total cost on U.S.
                                                aircraft required)        airplane            operators
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8 hours  x  $60 for each hour=$480.......  4 parts  x  $200=$800.00...      $1,280,  125 airplanes  x
                                                                                      $1,280=$160,000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed would 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 
proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive 
Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    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. You may 
request a copy of it 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, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:
Fairchild Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. 2001-CE-17-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects all 
Fairchild SA226 Series airplanes that are certificated in any 
category equipped with Hydromotive Model V1-15-1000 brake master 
cylinders: SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), and SA226-TC.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to correct and prevent future malfunctioning 
brake master cylinders. Malfunctioning brake master cylinders could 
cause dragging brakes, which can result in overheated brakes and a 
wheelwell fire if the dragging takes place during takeoff and the 
gear is later retracted.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must do the following, unless already 
done:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Actions                   Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the Hydromotive, Inc.    Upon the             Do this action
 Model V1-15-1000 brake master    accumulation of      following the
 cylinders with new or            200 hours time in    procedures in the
 overhauled Model V1-15-1000      service (TIS)        applicable
 brake master cylinders or FAA-   after the            maintenance or
 approved equivalent part         effective date of    service manual.
 numbers.                         this AD or 15,000
                                  hours total TIS on
                                  the affected brake
                                  master cylinders
                                  whichever occurs
                                  later. Later
                                  replacement
                                  intervals shall be
                                  at 15,000 hours
                                  TIS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), 
approves your alternative. Send your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Fort Worth ACO.

    Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Werner Koch, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5133; 
facsimile: (817) 222-5960.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may obtain copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Fairchild Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-
0490. You may read these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 13, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-20941 Filed 8-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P