[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 135 (Monday, July 15, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46427-46430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17601]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. P 68 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 Vulcanair S.p.A. (Vulcanair) P 68 
series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the 
flight and engine control systems to ensure that there is correct 
connecting bolt and linkage installation, no interference, and correct 
installation of certain components. The proposed AD would also require 
you to make any necessary adjustments and modify and install the split 
link and full travel limit assembly. This proposed AD is the result of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for Italy. The actions specified by this 
proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the primary flight 
control system caused by certain configurations. Such failure could 
lead to loss of aircraft flight control.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before August 26, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-13-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. 2002-CE-13-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 Vulcanair S.p.A., Via G. Pascoli 7, 80026 Casoria (Naples) Italy, 
telephone: +39.081.5918111; facsimile: +39.081.5918172. You may also 
view this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

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

[[Page 46428]]

``Comments to Docket No. 2002-CE-13-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile (ENAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Italy, recently notified FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Vulcanair Models P 68, P 68B, P 68C, P 
68C-TC, P 68 ``OBSERVER'', AP68TP300 ``SPARTACUS'', P68TC ``OBSERVER'', 
AP68TP 600 ``VIATOR'', and P68 ``OBSERVER 2'' airplanes. The ENAC 
reports several instances of incorrectly installed bolts, missing nuts, 
and the presence of interference between the forward control lever 
assembly and the airframe.

What Are the Consequences If the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    If not detected and corrected, these conditions could result in 
failure of the primary flight controls. Such failure could lead to loss 
of aircraft flight control.

Is There Service Information that Applies to this Subject?

    Vulcanair has issued P68 Series Service Bulletin No. 110, dated 
March 19, 2002; and P68 Series Service Bulletin No. 111, Rev. 1, dated 
February 20, 2002.

What Are the Provisions of this Service Information?

    Vulcanair P68 Series Service Bulletin No. 110, dated March 19, 
2002, includes procedures for:

--Inspecting for interference between the control column 
interconnection chain and the engine control pedestal assembly when the 
flight controls are in the maximum nose-down position;
--Inspecting to ensure that the split link is correctly installed in 
the chain and that the lock-wire is present and undamaged;
--Making any necessary adjustments; and
--Modifying and installing the split link and full travel limit 
assembly.

    Vulcanair P68 Series Service Bulletin No. 111, Rev. 1, dated 
February 20, 2002, includes procedures for:

--Inspecting all control cable and control rod connecting bolts and 
linkages for proper installation;
--Inspecting for interference between the flight control components and 
the airframe installations;
--Making any necessary adjustments; and
--Inspecting for the correct installation of the part number AN24-18A 
bolt that connects the forward control cable rod to the control column 
and reinstalling if necessary.

What Action Did the ENAC Take?

    The ENAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory. In order 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Italy, the 
ENAC issued the following:

--Italian AD Number 2002-212, dated March 28, 2002; and
--Italian AD Number 2002-155, dated February 22, 2002.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    These airplane models are manufactured in Italy and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
    Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the ENAC has 
kept FAA informed of the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of 
this Proposed AD

What has FAA Decided?

    The FAA has examined the findings of the ENAC; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Vulcanair P 68 series airplanes of the same type 
design that are on the U.S. registry;
--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 information.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that the proposed AD affects as many as 58 airplanes in 
the U.S. registry. The actions specified in Vulcanair P68 Series 
Service Bulletin No. 110 affect 15 U.S.-registered airplanes. The 
actions specified in Vulcanair P68 Series Service Bulletin No. 111, 
Rev.1, affect 58 U.S.-registered airplanes.

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 
inspections and modifications of Vulcanair P68 Series Service Bulletin 
No. 110:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Total cost    Total cost
          Labor cost             Parts cost        per         on U.S.
                                                airplane      operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 workhours  x  $60 per hour =         $150          $570        $8,550
 $420.........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
inspections of Vulcanair P68 Series Service Bulletin No. 111, Rev. 1:

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                                                                                       Total cost    Total cost
                   Labor cost                                 Parts cost                   per         on U.S.
                                                                                        airplane      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $240.............  None..............................         $240       $13,920
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has no method of determining the number of necessary 
adjustments each owner/operator would incur if connecting bolts, 
linkage, etc. were found incorrectly installed. We estimate the cost to 
be minor.

[[Page 46429]]

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 30 
days after the effective date of the AD.''

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

    The compliance of this proposed AD is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours TIS because these missing or incorrectly installed 
parts is due to a lack of quality control at the factory. The problem 
has the same chance of existing on an airplane with 50 hours TIS as it 
would for an airplane with 1,000 hours TIS. Therefore, we believe that 
30 days will:

--Ensure that the unsafe condition does not go undetected for a long 
period of time on the affected airplanes; and
--Not inadvertently ground any of the affected airplanes.

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:

Vulcanair S.P.A.: Docket No. 2002-CE-13-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:
    (1) Group 1 Airplanes: Model P 68 ``OBSERVER 2'', serial numbers 
401 through 411.
    (2) Group 2 Airplanes: Model P 68 ``OBSERVER 2'', serial numbers 
412 and 413.
    (3) Group 3 Airplanes: Model P 68C, serial number 402.
    (4) Group 4 Airplanes:

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                Model                                                 Serial Nos.
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P 68 ``OBSERVER''...................  All serial numbers through 411.
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P 68 ``OBSERVER''...................  All serial numbers through 400.
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P68TC ``OBSERVER''..................  All serial numbers through 411.
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    (5) Group 5 Airplanes:

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                Model                                                 Serial Nos.
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AP68TP300 ``SPARTACUS''.............  All serial numbers through 413.
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P 68................................  All serial numbers through 413.
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P 68 ``OBSERVER''...................  412 and 413.
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P 68 B..............................  All serial numbers through 413.
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P 68C...............................  All serial numbers through 401 and 403 through 413.
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P 68C-TC............................  All serial numbers through 413.
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P68TC ``OBSERVER''..................  412 and 413.
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P68TP 600 ``VIATOR''................  All serial numbers through 413.
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    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) 
of this AD must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the primary flight 
control system caused by certain configurations. Such failure could 
lead to loss of aircraft flight control.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

[[Page 46430]]



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                                                                    Airplane groups
               Actions                        Compliance                affected                Procedures
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(1) Inspect the connecting bolts in    Within the next 30 days  Group 1, Group 2, and    Inspect in accordance
 the stabilator, rudder, aileron, and   after the effective      Group 3.                 with paragraph 2. WORK
 flap controls to verify the correct    date of this AD.                                  PROCEDURE, 2.1 PART A,
 installation and inspect the forward   Perform necessary                                 of Vulcanair P68
 control lever for interference with    repairs prior to                                  Series Service
 the airframe.                          further flight after                              Bulletin No. 111 Rev.
(i) If interference or any incorrect    the inspection in                                 1, dated February 20,
 installations are found during the     which the interference                            2002. Repair in
 inspections, obtain a repair scheme    or any incorrect                                  accordance with the
 from the manufacturer through the      installation is found.                            repair scheme obtained
 FAA at the address specified in                                                          from Vulcanair S.p.A.,
 paragraph (f) of this AD.                                                                Via G. Pascoli 7,
(ii) Incorporate this repair scheme..                                                     80026 Casoria (Naples)
                                                                                          Italy. Obtain this
                                                                                          repair scheme through
                                                                                          the FAA at the address
                                                                                          specified in paragraph
                                                                                          (f) of this AD.
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(2) Accomplish the following           Inspect within the next  Group 1 and Group 4....  In accordance with the
 inspections:                           30 days after the                                 WORK PROCEDURE section
(i) Inspect to ensure that there is     effective date of this                            of Vulcanair P68
 no interference between the control    AD. Make any necessary                            Series Service
 column interconnection chain and       corrections or repairs                            Bulletin No. 110,
 engine control pedestal assembly       prior to further                                  dated March 19, 2002.
 when the flight controls are in the    flight after the                                  Repair in accordance
 maximum nose down position. Correct    inspection where the                              with the repair scheme
 any interference as specified in the   problem is found.                                 obtained from
 service information or obtain a                                                          Vulcanair S.p.A., Via
 repair scheme from the manufacturer                                                      G. Pascoli 7, 80026
 through FAA at the address specified                                                     Casoria (Naples)
 in paragraph (f) of this AD, as                                                          Italy. Obtain this
 applicable.                                                                              repair scheme through
(ii) Inspect to ensure that the split                                                     the FAA at the address
 link (part number NOR7.059-1) is                                                         specified in paragraph
 correctly installed in the chain and                                                     (f) of this AD.
 that the lock-wire is present,
 undamaged, and installed correctly.
 Make any necessary corrections.
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(3) Install and modify the following:  Within the next 30 days  Group 1 and Group 4....  In accordance with the
(i) Split Link, part number NOR7.059-   after the effective                               WORK PROCEDURE section
 1.                                     date of this AD.                                  of Vulcanair P68
(ii) Full Travel Limit Assembly, part                                                     Series Service
 number 5.3077-1/-2.                                                                      Bulletin No. 110,
                                                                                          dated March 19, 2002.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Inspect bolt part number AN24-18A  Within the next 30 days  Group 1, Group 2, Group  In accordance with the
 to verify the correct installation     after the effective      3, Group 4, and Group    WORK PROCEDURE section
 and inspect for the existence of a     date of this AD.         5.                       of Vulcanair P68
 part number MS21083N4 nut. Correctly   Install prior to                                  Series Service
 install an incorrectly installed       further flight after                              Bulletin No. 111 Rev.
 bolt and, if missing, install the      the inspection where                              1, dated February 20,
 nut.                                   problems are found.                               2002.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 Standards Office Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Standards Office Manager.

    Note 1: 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.


    Note 2: The FAA recommends that owners/operators report results 
of all inspections required in paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2)(i), 
(d)(2)(ii), and (d)(4) of this AD to the manufacturer as stated in 
the service bulletins.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.
    (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 
Vulcanair S.p.A., Via G. Pascoli 7, 80026 Casoria (Naples) Italy, 
telephone: +39.081.5918111; facsimile: +39.081.5918172. You may view 
these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD Number 
2002-212, dated March 28, 2002; and Italian AD Number 2002-155, 
dated February 22, 2002.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 5, 2002.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-17601 Filed 7-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P