[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 96 (Thursday, May 19, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28854-28856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9974]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 96 / Thursday, May 19, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 28854]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20968; Directorate Identifier 94-CE-15-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Tiger Aircraft LLC Models AA-5, AA-5A, 
AA-5B, and AG-5B Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to revise Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-19-
15, which applies to all Tiger Aircraft LLC (Type Certificate A16EH 
formerly held by American General Aircraft Corporation and Grumman 
American Aviation Corporation) Models AA-5, AA-5A, AA-5B, and AG-5B 
airplanes. AD 95-19-15 currently requires you to inspect the wing 
attach shoulder bolts for fretting, scoring, wear, or enlarged or 
elongated mounting holes (known as damage from hereon); replace any 
damaged parts; repair any damaged areas; inspect the wing spar at the 
center spar clearance gap for excessive clearance; and shim the spar if 
excessive clearance is found. Since we issued AD 95-19-15, FAA has 
received and evaluated new service information that limits the serial 
numbers for the Model AG-5B airplanes of AD 95-19-15. Consequently, 
this proposed AD retains all the actions of AD 95-19-15 and includes 
the serial numbers for the Model AG-5B airplanes in the applicability 
section. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent wing attach 
shoulder bolt failure, which, if not detected and corrected, could lead 
to structural damage of the wing/fuselage to the point of failure.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 18, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:
     DOT Docket web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    To get the service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact American General Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 5737, 
Greenville, MS 38704.
    To view the comments to this proposed AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. 
The docket number is FAA-2005-20968; Directorate Identifier 94-CE-15-
AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Beckwith, Aerospace Engineer, 
1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516-794-
5531; facsimile: 516-794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the 
docket number, ``FAA-2005-20968; Directorate Identifier 94-CE-15-AD'' 
at the beginning of your comments. We will post all comments we 
receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal 
information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed 
rulemaking. Using the search function of our docket web site, anyone 
can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
This is docket number FAA-2005-20968. You may review the DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Docket Information

    Where can I go to view the docket information? You may view the AD 
docket that contains the proposal, any comments received, and any final 
disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m. (eastern standard time), Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5227) is located on 
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at 
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    Has FAA taken any action to this point? The FAA has received four 
reports (three in England and one in the United States) of wing attach 
shoulder bolt failure on Tiger Aircraft LLC (Type Certificate A16EH 
formerly held by American General Aircraft Corporation (AGAC) and 
Grumman American Aviation Corporation (GAAC)) Models AA-5, AA-5A, AA-
5B, and AG-5B airplanes. Investigation reveals that excessive wing to 
center spar clearance could have contributed to the bolt failures; 
however, in each of the four instances, the bolts failed before 
reaching the service life of 7,250 hours time-in-service (TIS). The FAA 
has determined that, to assure the safety of these airplanes, the 
established service life of these bolts needed review. Our review of 
service life on Tiger Aircraft LLC (Type Certificate A16EH formerly 
held by AGAC and GAAC) Models AA-5, AA-5A, AA-5B, and AG-5B

[[Page 28855]]

airplanes caused us to issue AD 95-19-15, Amendment 39-9377 (60 FR 
48628, September 20, 1995). AD 95-19-15 currently requires the 
following on Tiger Aircraft LLC (Type Certificate A16EH formerly held 
by AGAC and GAAC) Models AA-5, AA-5A, AA-5B, and AG-5B airplanes:
--Inspect the wing attach shoulder bolts for fretting, scoring, wear, 
or enlarged or elongated mounting holes (known as damage from hereon), 
and replace any damaged parts and repairing any damaged areas;
--Inspect the wing spar at the center spar clearance gap for excessive 
clearance; and
--Shim the spar if excessive clearance is found.
    What has happened since AD 95-19-15 to initiate this proposed AD 
action? Since we issued AD 95-19-15, FAA has received and evaluated new 
service information that limits the serial numbers for the Model AG-5B 
airplanes of AD 95-19-15.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Wing attach 
shoulder bolt failure, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
structural damage of the wing/fuselage to the point of failure.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? The AGAC 
has issued Service Bulletin No. SB-185-A, Revision A, dated January 10, 
2005. This revision updates the serial number effectivity for the Model 
AG-5B, company name and address change, clarifies inspection times, and 
reflects the release of the Tiger Aircraft Model AG-5B airplane 
maintenance manual.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:
--Inspecting for fretting, scoring, or wear (removal of the cad 
plating) to the shoulder of the inboard wing attach shoulder bolt;
--Replacing any bolt found with fretting, scoring, or threads that 
contact the shoulder of the bolt;
--Inspecting the shoulder bolt profile for a smooth machined area 
between the threads and the shoulder bevel;
--Inspecting the mounting holes in the wing spar and the center section 
spar for enlargement or elongation that exceeds the specified 
dimension;
--Reaming and bushing any mounting hole that exceeds the specified 
dimension; and
--Inspecting the wing spar at the center spar clearance gap for 
excessive clearance, and shimming the spar if excessive clearance is 
found.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information 
and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of this same type design. For this reason, we are 
proposing AD action.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would revise 
AD 95-19-15 with a new AD that would incorporate the actions in the 
previously-referenced service bulletin.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On 
July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs 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 would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 3,700 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 
do this proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Total cost per
              Labor cost                        Parts cost            airplane      Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 work hours X $65 = $650............  Not included.............            $650  3,700 X $650 = $2,405,000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need 
this replacement of any damaged bolts or repair as a result of the 
proposed inspection.
    What is the difference between the cost impact of this proposed AD 
and the cost impact of AD 95-19-15? The differences are the change in 
the labor cost work hour factor ($60) used in AD-95-19-15 and the labor 
cost work hour factor of $65 used in this NPRM and the change in the 
serial number applicability. There are no additional actions required 
in this proposed AD.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined 
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under 
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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 proposed AD 
(and other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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 FAA-2005-20968; Directorate Identifier 94-CE-15-AD'' in 
your request.

[[Page 28856]]

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 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 95-19-15, Amendment 39-9377 (60 FR 48628, September 20, 1995), and 
by adding a new AD to read as follows:

Tiger Aircraft LLC (Type Certificate A16EH formerly held by American 
General Aircraft Corporation and Grumman American Aviation 
Corporation): Docket No. FAA-2005-20968; Directorate Identifier 94-
CE-15-AD

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) by July 18, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected By This Action?

    (b) This AD revises AD 95-19-15, Amendment 39-9377.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Model                            Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AA-5.............................  All Serial Numbers.
AA-5A............................  All Serial Numbers.
AA-5B............................  All Serial Numbers.
AG-5B............................  99998, 10000 through 10174.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of FAA receiving and evaluating new 
service information that limits the serial numbers for the Model AG-
5B airplanes of AD 95-19-15. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent wing attach shoulder bolt failure, which, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to structural damage of the wing/
fuselage to the point of failure.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect any inboard wing  Within the next 100   Follow American
 attach shoulder bolt for:     hours aircraft time-  General Aircraft
(i) Fretting, scoring, or      in-service (TIS)      Corporation Service
 wear (removal of the cad      after November 17,    Bulletin No. SB-185-
 plating) to the shoulder of   1995 (the effective   A, Revision A,
 the bolt.                     date of AD 95-19-     dated January 10,
(ii) A smooth machined area    15), unless already   2005.
 between the threads and the   done.
 shoulder bevel of the
 shoulder bolt profile.
(2) Replace any inboard wing  Before further        Follow American
 attach shoulder bolt with     flight after the      General Aircraft
 wear (removal of the cad      inspection required   Corporation Service
 plating from the shoulder     by paragraph (e)(1)   Bulletin, No. SB-
 of the bolt) or if the        of this Ad.           185-A, Revision A,
 threads contact the                                 January 10, 2005.
 shoulder of the bolt found
 during the inspections
 required in paragraph
 (e)(1) of this Ad.
(3) Inspect the mounting      Within the next 100   Follow American
 holes in the wing spar and    hours aircraft time-  General Aircraft
 the center section spar for   in-service (TIS)      Corporation Service
 enlargement or elongation     after November 17,    Bulletin No. SB-185-
 that exceeds specified        1995 (the effective   A, Revision A,
 dimension.                    date of AD 95-19-     dated of January
                               15), unless already   10, 2005.
                               done.
(4) Ream and bush any         Before further        Follow American
 mounting hole that exceeds    flight after the      General Aircraft
 the specified dimension       inspection required   Corporation Service
 found during the inspection   by paragraph (e)(3)   Bulletin No. SB-185-
 required by paragraph         of this AD.           A, Revision A,
 (e)(3) of this AD.                                  dated January 10,
                                                     2005.
(5) Inspect the wing spar at  Before further        Follow American
 the center spar clearance     flight after the      General Aircraft
 gap for excessive             inspection required   Corporation Service
 clearance, and shim the       by required by        Bulletin No. SB-185-
 spar if excessive clearance   Service Bulletin      A, Revision A,
 is found.                     paragraphs (e)(1)     dated January 10,
                               of this AD.           2005.
(6) Do not install any wing   As of the effective   Not Applicable.
 attach shoulder bolt that     date of this Ad.
 has wear resulting in
 removal of the cad plating
 from the shoulder of the
 bolt or if the threads
 contact the shoulder bevel
 of the shoulder bolt
 profile.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method 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 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For information on any already 
approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Richard 
Beckwith, Aerospace Engineer, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516-794-5531; facsimile: 516-794-
5531.

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

    (g) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, 
contact American General Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 5737, 
Greenville, MS 38704. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket 
Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2005-20968; 
Directorate ID 94-CE-15-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 13, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9974 Filed 5-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P