[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17905-17906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7353]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-160-AD; Amendment 39-13560; AD 2004-07-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. 
(CASA), Model C-235 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain CASA Model C-235 series airplanes, that requires 
modification of the electrical wiring of the rudder trim control unit. 
This action is necessary to prevent the flight crew from being able to 
inhibit the aural warning for the landing gear up. If the flight crew 
of the next flight or possibly of the same flight is unaware that the 
aural warning had been disabled, they could inadvertently land the 
airplane with the landing gear not down and locked. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 11, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 11, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. 
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain CASA Model C-235 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2004 (69 
FR 5780). That action proposed to require modification of the 
electrical wiring of the rudder trim control unit.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry will be affected 
by this AD, that it will take approximately 7 work hours per airplane 
to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is 
$65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $40 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $495.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    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.
    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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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

0
Accordingly, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-07016 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
13560. Docket 2002-NM-160-AD.

    Applicability: Model C-235 series airplanes, serial numbers C-
006, C-007, C-010, C-012, C-018, C-029, C-030, C-032, C-033, and C-
042; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the flight crew from being able to inhibit the aural 
warning for the landing gear up, and the possibility that the flight 
crew of the next flight or possibly of the same flight could 
inadvertently land the airplane with the landing gear not down and 
locked; accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the electrical wiring of the rudder trim control unit per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-27-20, 
dated March 7, 2001.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized to 
approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized to 
approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

[[Page 17906]]

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions must be done in accordance with CASA Service 
Bulletin SB-235-27-20, dated March 7, 2001. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, 
Spain. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Spanish 
airworthiness directive 02/02, dated April 30, 2002.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 11, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7353 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P