[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 14, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59106-59109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25699]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-58-AD; Amendment 39-13335; AD 2003-21-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 94-18-04

[[Page 59107]]

R1, which currently applies to all Univair Aircraft Corporation 
(Univair) Models Alon A-2 and A2-A; ERCO 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, 415-E, 
and 415-G; Forney F-1 and F-1A; and Mooney M10 airplanes. AD 94-18-04 
R1 requires installing inspection openings in the outer wing panels, 
inspecting (one-time) the wing outer panel structural components for 
corrosion, and repairing any corroded wing outer panel structural 
component. Several reports of corrosion in the outer wing panels of the 
affected airplanes prompted that AD. This AD is the result of 
additional reports of corrosion on airplanes in compliance with AD 94-
18-04 R1. This AD makes the inspection required in AD 94-18-04 R1 
repetitive. We are issuing this AD to prevent wing damage caused by a 
corroded wing outer panel structural component, which, if not detected 
and corrected, could progress to the point of structural failure.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 1, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Univair Aircraft Corporation Service 
Bulletin No. 29, Revision B, dated January 2, 1995, as of March 24, 
1995 (60 FR 13626, March 14, 1995).
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of Univair Aircraft Corporation Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. 29, Revision C, dated July 8, 1999, as of December 1, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from Univair Aircraft Corporation, 2500 Himalaya Road, Aurora, Colorado 
80011, telephone: (303) 375-8882; facsimile: (303) 375-8888.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-58-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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:

Discussion

    Has FAA taken any action to this point? Maintenance inspection 
procedures did not allow for thorough inspection of the wing structure 
on Univair Models Alon A-2 and A2-A; ERCO 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, 415-E, 
and 415-G; Forney F-1 and F-1A; and Mooney M10 airplanes. This caused 
us to issue AD 94-18-04, Amendment 39-9017 (59 FR 43727, August 25, 
1994) to require installing inspection openings in the outer wing 
panels, inspecting (one-time) the wing outer panel structure for 
corrosion, and repairing any corrosion found.
    After AD 94-18-04 was issued, Univair revised Service Bulletin No. 
29 to the Revision B level. Univair Service Bulletin No. 29, Revision 
B, dated January 2, 1995, changed the dimension of one of the openings 
to position it symmetrically between two ribs; and clarified the 
dimensioning system utilized in placement of the inspection openings. 
Univair SB No. 29, Revision B, also presented further discussion of the 
service difficulties encountered on the referenced subject and 
clarified the intent of the preliminary inspection procedure that may 
be accomplished prior to the installation of the inspection openings.
    This caused us to issue AD 94-18-04 R1, Amendment 39-9173 (60 FR 
62321, March 14, 1995).
    What has happened since AD 94-18-04 R1 to initiate this action? The 
FAA has received additional reports of corrosion damage in the wing 
outer panel structural components continuing to go undetected. Univair 
has revised Service Bulletin No. 29 to the Revision C level, dated July 
8, 1999. This revision changes the one-time inspection of the wing 
outer panel structural components for corrosion to a repetitive 
inspection.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? This condition, 
if not detected and corrected, could cause damage to the wing outer 
panel structural component. Such damage could result in structural 
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 all Univair Models Alon A-2 and A2-A; 
ERCO 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, 415-E, and 415-G; Forney F-1 and F-1A, and 
Mooney M10. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on May 30, 2003 (68 FR 32437). The 
NPRM proposed to supersede AD 94-18-04 R1 with a new AD that would 
retain the actions required in AD 94-18-04 R1 and make the one-time 
inspection of the wing outer panel structural components for corrosion 
a repetitive inspection.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We received 
no comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD 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.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now 
includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 2,600 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 
installation of the inspection openings:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Total  cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 workhours x $60 per hour = $360.....             $67             $427
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 59108]]

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost  per
            Labor cost                   Parts cost           airplane         Total cost on  U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $60 per hour = $120.  Not applicable......            $120   $120 x 2,600 = $312,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has no method of determining the number of repetitive 
inspections each owner/operator will 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 will incur over the life of each of 
the affected airplanes based on the results of the 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 AD

    What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this 
AD is ``within the next 12 calendar months after the effective date of 
this AD.''
    Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of 
hours time-in-service (TIS)? The unsafe condition specified by this 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 AD does not go undetected for a 
long period of time, the compliance is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours TIS.

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2002-CE-58-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 94-
18-04 R1, Amendment 39-9173 (60 FR 62321, March 14, 1995), and by 
adding a new AD to read as follows:

2003-21-01 Univair Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-13335; Docket 
No. 2002-CE-58-AD; Supersedes AD 94-18-04 R1, Amendment 39-9173.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on December 1, 2003.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 94-18-04 R1, Amendment 39-9173.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following airplane models and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category:

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

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of additional reports of corrosion on 
airplanes in compliance with AD 94-18-04 R1. The actions specified 
in this AD are intended to prevent wing damage caused by a corroded 
wing outer panel structural component, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could progress to the point of structural failure.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Install inspection        Within the next 12    In accordance with
 openings in the outer wing    calendar months       Univair Service
 panels and inspect the wing   after March 24,       Bulletin No. 29,
 outer panel internal          1995 (the effective   Revision B, dated
 structural components for     date of AD 94-18-04   January 2, 1995, or
 corrosion and unrepaired      R1), unless already   Univair Service
 corrosion damage.             accomplished.         Bulletin No. 29,
                                                     Revision C, dated
                                                     July 8, 1999, and
                                                     Advisory Circular
                                                     43-4A, Corrosion
                                                     Control for
                                                     Aircraft.
(2) If corrosion or           Repair or replace     In accordance with
 corrosion damage is found     prior to further      Univair Service
 during the inspection         flight after the      Bulletin No. 29,
 required in paragraph         inspection required   Revision B, dated
 (e)(1) of this AD, repair     in paragraph (e)(1)   January 2, 1995, or
 or replace components of      of this AD.           Univair Service
 the wing outer panel                                Bulletin No. 29,
 structure.                                          Revision C, dated
                                                     July 8, 1999, the
                                                     applicable
                                                     maintenance manual,
                                                     and Advisory
                                                     Circular 43-4A,
                                                     Corrosion Control
                                                     for Aircraft.

[[Page 59109]]

 
(3) Repetitively inspect the  Initially inspect     In accordance with
 wing outer panel internal     within the next 6     Univair Service
 structural components for     calendar months       Bulletin No. 29,
 corrosion and unrepaired      after December 1,     Revision C, dated
 corrosion damage.             2003 (the effective   July 8, 1999, and
                               date of this AD),     Advisory Circular
                               unless the wing       43-4A, Corrosion
                               outer panel           Control for
                               internal structure    Aircraft.
                               has been inspected
                               for corrosion
                               within the previous
                               6 calendar months
                               immediately prior
                               to December 1, 2003
                               (the effective date
                               of this AD).
                              Repetitively inspect
                               thereafter at
                               intervals not to
                               exceed 12 calendar
                               months after the
                               last inspection..
(4) At any time corrosion or  Repair or replace     In accordance with
 corrosion damage is found,    prior to further      Univair Service
 repair or replace             flight after the      Bulletin No. 29,
 components of the wing        inspection in which   Revision B, dated
 outer panel structure.        the corrosion or      January 2, 1995, or
                               corrosion damage is   Univair Service
                               found. Continue       Bulletin No. 29,
                               with the repetitive   Revision C, dated
                               inspection            July 8, 1999, and
                               requirements of       Advisory Circular
                               this AD.              43-4A, Corrosion
                                                     Control for
                                                     Aircraft.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note: The compliance times specified in Univair Aircraft 
Corporation Service Bulletin No. 29, Revision B, dated January 2, 
1995, or Univair Service Bulletin No. 29, Revision C, dated July 8, 
1999, are different from those required by this AD. The compliance 
times in this AD take precedence over those in the service bulletin.

What About Alternative Methods of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.13.
    (1) Send your request to the Manager, Denver Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO). For information on 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.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved for the 
inspection required in AD 94-18-04 R1, which is superseded by this 
AD, are approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

Is There Material Incorporated by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD per Univair 
Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 29, Revision B, dated 
January 2, 1995, and Univair Service Bulletin No. 29, Revision C, 
dated July 8, 1999.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Univair Aircraft Corporation Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 29, Revision C, dated July 8, 1999, in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get a 
copy from Univair Aircraft Corporation, 2500 Himalaya Road, Aurora, 
Colorado 80011, telephone: (303) 375-8882; facsimile: (303) 375-
8888.
    (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Univair Aircraft Corporation Service 
Bulletin No. 29, Revision B, dated January 2, 1995, as of March 24, 
1995 (60 FR 13626, March 14, 1995).
    (3) You may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 6, 2003.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25699 Filed 10-10-03; 8:45 am]
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