[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 3, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15763-15767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7996]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-45-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Univair Aircraft Corporation Alon A-2 
and A2-A, ERCO 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, E, and G, Forney F-1 and F-1A, and 
Mooney M10 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 15764]]


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 all Univair Aircraft Corporation (Univair) 
Alon A-2 and A2-A, ERCO 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, E, and G, Forney F-1 and 
F-1A, and Mooney M10 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to 
repetitively inspect the wing center section for evidence of corrosion 
by installing inspection openings or by the use of a scope and light 
source, e.g., fiberscope borescope or an endoscope, that meets 
specified criteria. This proposed AD would also require you to repair 
or replace any parts where corrosion or corrosion damage was found, 
install cover plates where inspection openings were made, and send 
inspection results to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This 
proposed AD is the result of several reports of corrosion being found 
throughout the wing center section structure. The actions specified by 
this proposed AD are intended to detect and correct corrosion in the 
wing center section which could result in failure of the wing center 
section structure during flight. Such failure could lead to loss of 
control of the airplane.

DATES: The FAA must receive any comments on this proposed rule on or 
before June 3, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-45-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2001-CE-45-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from Univair Aircraft Corporation, 2500 Himalaya Road, Aurora, Colorado 
80011, telephone: (303) 375-8882; facsimile: (303) 375-8888. You may 
also view this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Caldwell, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Denver Aircraft Certification Office, 26805 East 68th Avenue, Room 
214, Denver, Colorado 80249-6361; telephone: (303) 342-1086; facsimile: 
(303) 342-1088.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention To?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we 
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of 
this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2001-CE-45-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The FAA has received several reports of severe corrosion being 
found throughout the wing center section of the affected model 
airplanes. We have determined that the original design configuration of 
these airplanes does not provide adequate means for routine visual 
inspection of the wing center section wing walkway boxes. The inability 
to inspect this area has resulted in corrosion being undetected on 
these airplanes.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    If not detected and corrected, the wing center section structure 
could fail during flight. Such failure could lead to loss of control of 
the airplane.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Univair has issued Univair Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin 
No. 31, date January 29, 2002.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for:

--installing inspection openings and cover plate assemblies;
--repetitively inspecting for corrosion and corrosion damage using the 
inspection openings or a specified scope and light source, e.g., 
fiberscope borescope or an endoscope; and
--repairing or replacing any parts where corrosion or corrosion damage 
was found.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of 
This 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 Univair Alon A-2 and A2-A, ERCO 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, 
E, and G, Forney F-1 and F-1A, and Mooney M10 airplanes of the same 
type design;
--the actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in 
the previously-referenced service bulletin and report any damage found 
to FAA.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 2,600 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.

[[Page 15765]]

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

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
installation of the inspection openings:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
               Labor cost                   Parts cost       airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $600....            $175            $775
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $120..  $450 for purchase of a   $120 or $570...........  $120  x  2,600 =
                                        borescope or an                                   $312,000 or $570  x
                                        endoscope, if                                     2,600 = $1,482,000.
                                        applicable.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has no method of determining the number of repetitive 
inspections each owner/operator would incur over the life of each of 
the affected airplanes so the cost impact is based on the initial 
inspection.
    The FAA has no method of determining the number of repairs or 
replacements each owner/operator would incur over the life of each of 
the affected airplanes based on the results of the proposed 
inspections. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need such repair. The extent of damage may vary on each airplane.

Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

What Would be the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD?

    The compliance time of this proposed AD is ``within the next 12 
calendar months after the effective date of this AD and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 12 calendar months or 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), whichever occurs first''.

Why Is the Proposed Compliance Time Presented in Calendar Time Instead 
of Hours Time-in-Service (TIS)?

    The unsafe condition specified by this proposed AD is caused by 
corrosion. Corrosion can occur regardless of whether the airplane is in 
operation or is in storage. Therefore, to assure that the unsafe 
condition specified in this proposed AD does not go undetected for a 
long period of time, the compliance is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours TIS.

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed herein 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 proposed 
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. 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Univair Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 2001-CE-45-AD
    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated 
in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                           Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alon A-2 and A2-A.........................  All
ERCO 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, E, and G.......  All
Forney F-1 and F-1A.......................  All
Mooney M10................................  All
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct corrosion in the wing 
center section which could result in failure of the wing center 
section structure during flight. Such failure could lead to loss of 
control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

[[Page 15766]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the wing center   Within the next 12    In accordance with
 section for corrosion or      calendar months       the Procedures
 corrosion damage by           after the effective   section of Univair
 accomplishing one of the      date of this AD and   Aircraft
 following methods:            thereafter at         Corporation Service
                               intervals not to      Bulletin No. 31,
                               exceed 12 calendar    dated January 29,
                               months or 100 hours   2002, and Advisory
                               time-in-service       Circulary 43-4A,
                               (TIS), whichever      Corrosion Control
                               occurs first.         for Aircraft.
(i) Install inspection
 openings to gain access to
 the wing walkway box
 structure and inspect the
 wing center structure for
 corrosion or corrosion
 damage; or
(ii) Use a scope and light
 source, e.g., fiberscope
 borescope or an endoscope
 (as specified in Appendix 1
 of this AD) to inspect the
 wing center structure for
 corrosion or corrosion
 damage.
(2) If corrosion or           Prior to further      In accordance with
 corrosion damage is found     flight after any      the Procedures
 during any inspection         inspection in which   section of Univair
 required in paragraph         the corrosion or      Aircraft
 (d)(1) of this AD, repair     corrosion damage is   Corporation Service
 of replace components of      found.                Bulletin No. 31,
 the wing center section                             dated January 29,
                                                     2002, the
                                                     applicable
                                                     maintenance manual,
                                                     and Advisory
                                                     Circular 43-4A,
                                                     Corrosion Control
                                                     for Aircraft.
(3) If inspection openings    Prior to further      In accordance with
 were installed in             flight after each     the Procedures
 accordance with paragraph     inspection or         section of Unvair
 (d)(1)(i) of this AD,         repair required in    Aircraft
 install cover plate           paragraphs (d)(1)     Corporation Service
 assemblies.                   and (d)(2) of this    Bulletin No. 31,
                               AD.                   dated January 29,
                                                     2002.
(4) If any damage is found    Within 10 days after  Send the report to
 during any inspection         the inspection in     Roger Caldwell,
 required by this AD, submit   which the corrosion   FAA, at the address
 a Malfunction or Defect       or damage was found   in paragraph (f) of
 Report (M or D), FAA Form     or within 10 days     this AD. You may
 8010-4, to the FAA.           after the effective   also file
                               date of this AD,      electronically as
                               whichever occurs      discussed in this
                               later.                AD.
(i) Include the airplane
 model and serial number,
 the extent of the damage
 (location and type), and
 the total number of hours
 TIS on the damaged wing.
(ii) You may submit M or D
 reports electronically by
 accessing the FAA AFS-600
 web page at http://av-info.faa.gov/isdr/. You
 will lose access to the
 report once electronically
 submitted. We recommend you
 print two copies prior to
 submitting the report.
 Forward one copy to the
 Denver Aircraft
 Certification Office (ACO)
 and keep the one copy for
 your records. The Office of
 Management and Budget (OMB)
 approved the information
 collection requirements
 contained in this
 regulation under the
 provisions of the Paperwork
 Reduction Act of 1980 (44
 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and
 assigned OMB Control Number
 2120-0056.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: We have determined that Olympus OSF Endoscope 
(sigmoidoscope) with a Fujinon FIL-150 light source is acceptable 
for this inspection. Other scopes and light sources meeting the 
minimum characteristics stated in Appendix 1 of this AD are also 
acceptable.

    (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, Denver Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Denver 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 Roger Caldwell, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Denver Aircraft Certification Office, 26805 East 68th 
Avenue, Room 214, Denver, Colorado 80249-6361; telephone: (303) 342-
1086; facsimile: (303) 342-1088.
    (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 get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Univair Aircraft Corporation, 2500 Himalaya Road, Aurora, Colorado 
80011, telephone: (303) 375-8882; facsimile: (303) 375-8888. You may 
view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Appendix 1 to Docket No. 2001-CE-45-AD

    Minimum characteristic requirements for the scope and light 
source, e.g., fiberscope boroscope or endoscope.
    (1) Must be a remote high intensity light source of 150 Watts 
halogen or better.
    (2) The optical system must be of a quality such that it remains 
constantly in focus from about 4 millimeters (0.16 inch) to 
infinity.
    (3) When the tip is approximately 4 millimeters from the 
inspected surface, a magnification of about 10X must be achieved.

[[Page 15767]]

    (4) The image guide and protective sheath length must be at 
least 2 feet for more, and the distal tip diameter must be 0.450 
inch or larger.
    (5) There must be control handles for four-way tip articulation 
of the last 4 to 5 inches for a minimum of 100 degrees for each 
direction.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 27, 2002.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-7996 Filed 4-2-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P