[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 14, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52899-52901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20516]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-71-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MORAVAN a.s. Models Z-143L and Z-242L 
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 MORAVAN a.s. (Moravan) Models Z-143L 
and Z-242L airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to modify the 
engine secondary vent line. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for the Czech Republic. The actions specified by this 
proposed AD are intended to prevent the engine crankcase ventilation 
lines from freezing during flight in cold weather (winter) conditions, 
which could result in oil leaking from the engine. Such a condition 
could lead to engine failure.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before September 20, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-71-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. 99-CE-71-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 Moravan, Inc., 765 81 Otrokovice, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 
67 767 3940; facsimile: +420 67 792 2103. 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

[[Page 52900]]

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 ``Comments to Docket No. 99-CE-71-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the Czech Republic, notified FAA that an unsafe condition 
may exist on certain Moravan Models Z-143L and Z-242L airplanes. The 
CAA reports that during a production delivery flight of a Model Z-242L 
airplane, smoke accumulated in the cockpit of the airplane, and engine 
oil pressure dropped significantly. As a result of this situation, the 
pilot was forced to make an emergency landing.
    Investigation analysis revealed that the engine crankcase 
ventilation lines became frozen while flying in low ambient air 
temperature (winter) conditions. When the engine crankcase ventilation 
lines freeze, the front crankcase seal ring slips out, which allows oil 
to leak from the engine.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    This condition, if not corrected, could result in the engine 
crankcase ventilation lines freezing during flight in cold weather 
(winter) conditions. Such a condition could lead to engine failure.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Moravan has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin Z 242L/19a--Rev. 3, Z 
143L/20a, dated April 30, 1999.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for modifying the engine 
vent lines.

What Action Did the CAA Take?

    The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Czech Republic AD Number CAA-AD-042/1999, dated August 18, 1999, in 
order to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the 
Czech Republic. ]

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    These airplane models are manufactured in the Czech Republic 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 CAA 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 CAA; 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 Moravan Models Z-143L and Z-242L 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 bulletin.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 39 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

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 
modification:

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                                                                      Total cost per      Total cost on U.S.
               Labor cost                        Parts cost              airplane              operators
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1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60......  No parts required.........             $60   $60  x  39 = $2,340.
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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

[[Page 52901]]

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:

Moravan A.S.: Docket No. 99-CE-71-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 Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Z-143L.................................  All serial numbers up to and
                                          including 0029, except 0025
                                          and 0027.
Z-242L.................................  All serial numbers up to and
                                          including 0733.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 prevent the engine crankcase ventilation 
lines from freezing during flight in cold weather (winter) 
conditions, which could result in oil leaking from the engine. Such 
a condition could lead to engine failure.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify the engine vent lines....  Within the next     In accordance with
                                   100 hours time-in-  Moravan Mandatory
                                   service after the   Service Bulletin
                                   effective date of   Z 242L/19a--Rev.
                                   this AD.            3, Z 143L/20a,
                                                       dated April 30,
                                                       1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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, 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 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    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.

    (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 
Moravan, Inc., 765 81 Otrokovice, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 67 
767 3940; facsimile: +420 67 792 2103. You may view these documents 
at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Czech Republic AD 
Number CAA-AD-042/1999, August 18, 1999.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 7, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-20516 Filed 8-13-02; 8:45 am]
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