[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66540-66541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27201]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-71-AD; Amendment 39-12925; AD 2002-22-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MORAVAN a.s. Models Z-143L and Z-242L 
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 certain MORAVAN a.s. (Moravan) Models Z-143L and Z-242L 
airplanes. This AD requires you to modify the engine secondary vent 
line. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the Czech 
Republic. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 13, 2002.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
December 13, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information 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 this information 
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-71-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: 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:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This 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 Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    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.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to 
certain Moravan Models Z-143L and Z-242L airplanes. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) on August 14, 2002 (67 FR 52899). The NPRM proposed to require 
you to modify the engine secondary vent line.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor 
corrections:

--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

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

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 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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[[Page 66541]]

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    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.

Does This 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) 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, under 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. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2002-22 01 Moravan A.S.: Amendment 39-12925; 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 100   In accordance with
                               hours time-in-        Moravan Mandatory
                               service after         Service Bulletin Z
                               December 13, 2002     242L/19a--Rev. 3, Z
                               (the effective date   143L/20a, dated
                               of this AD).          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 
Sec.  Sec.  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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Moravan Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin Z 242L/19a--Rev. 3, Z 
143L/20a, dated April 30, 1999. The Director of the Federal Register 
approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 
CFR part 51. You may get copies from Moravan, Inc., 765 81 
Otrokovice, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 67 767 3940; facsimile: 
+420 67 792 2103. You may view copies 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.

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

    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on December 13, 2002.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 18, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-27201 Filed 10-31-02; 8:45 am]
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