[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 51 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13558-13560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3798]



[[Page 13558]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23785; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation 
Models 690, 690A, and 690B Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation (Twin Commander) Models 
690, 690A, and 690B airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to 
inspect, visually and using fluorescent dye penetrant, the support 
structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both 
wings for cracks and replace any cracked support structure. This 
proposed AD would require you to reinforce the support structures for 
the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings. This 
proposed AD results from reports that cracks were found in the support 
structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both 
wings. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct cracks in 
the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge 
fittings on both wings, which could result in aileron failure. This 
failure could lead to reduced controllability or loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 16, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment 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.
     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.
    Contact Twin Commander Aircraft LLC, 19010 59th Drive, NE., 
Arlington, WA 98223, telephone: (360) 435-9797; facsimile: (360) 435-
1112, for the service information identified in this proposed AD.
    You may examine the comments on this proposed AD in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vince Massey, Aerospace Engineer, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
WA 98055-4056; telephone: (425) 917-6475; facsimile: (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include the docket number, ``FAA-2006-23785; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD in light of those 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 the DOT 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.). 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.

Examining the Dockets

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposal, any comments 
received and any final disposition on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the DOT Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., 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. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after the Docket Management Facility receives them.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports that cracks were found in the support 
structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both 
wings on Twin Commander Models 690, 690A, and 690B airplanes.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
failure of the aileron. This failure could lead to reduced 
controllability or loss of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Twin Commander Aircraft LLC Alert Service Bulletin 
236A and Alert Service Bulletin 238, both dated December 21, 2004.
    The service information describes procedures for:
     Inspecting, visually and using fluorescent dye penetrant, 
the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge 
fittings on both wings for cracks;
     Replacing cracked support structures; and
     Reinforcing the support structures for the inboard and 
center aileron hinge fittings on both wings.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD to address an unsafe condition that we 
determined is likely to exist or develop on other products of this same 
type design. This proposed AD would require you to inspect, visually 
and using fluorescent dye penetrant, the support structures for the 
inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings for cracks and 
replace any cracked support structure. This proposed AD would require 
you to reinforce the support structures for the inboard and center 
aileron hinge fittings on both wings. This proposed AD would require 
you to use the service information described previously to perform 
these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 275 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection of 
the support structures of the inboard aileron hinge fittings on both 
wings:

[[Page 13559]]



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                                                     Total cost for
           Labor cost                Parts cost       each airplane          Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 work hours x $80 an hour =    Not applicable....            $800  $800 x 275 = $220,000.
 $800.
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    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection of 
the support structure of the center aileron hinge fittings on both 
wings:

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                                                     Total cost for
           Labor cost                Parts cost       each airplane          Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 work hours x $80 an hour =    Not applicable....            $960  $960 x 275 = $264,000.
 $960.
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    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed reinforcements 
to the support structures of the inboard aileron hinge fittings on both 
wings:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Total cost for each
          Labor cost              Parts cost           airplane               Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 work hours x $80 an hour =           $1,526  $2,000 + $1,526 =      $3,526 x 275 = $969,650.
 $2,000.                                         $3,526.
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    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed reinforcement of 
the support structure of the center aileron hinge fittings on both 
wings:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Total cost for each
          Labor cost              Parts cost           airplane               Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 work hours x $80 an hour =             $551  $4,000 + $551 =        $4,551 x 275 = $1,251,525.
 $4,000.                                         $4,551.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any proposed replacements of 
the support structures for the inboard aileron hinge fittings on both 
wings that would be required based on the results of the proposed 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need this replacement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Labor cost                   Parts cost                 Total cost for each airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62 work hours x $80 an hour = $4,960.....          $2,320  $4,960 + $2,320 = $7,280.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any proposed replacements of 
support structure for the center aileron hinge fittings on both wings 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need 
this replacement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Labor cost                   Parts cost                 Total cost for each airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
176 work hours x $80 an hour = $14,080...          $3,330  $14,080 + $3,330 = $17,410.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

[[Page 13560]]

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 adding the following new AD:

Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2006-23785; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD.

Comment Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this proposed AD action by May 16, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD affects Models 690, 690A, and 690B airplanes, all 
serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of cracks found in the support 
structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both 
wings. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and 
correct cracks in the support structures for the inboard and center 
aileron hinge fittings on both wings, which could result in aileron 
failure. This failure could lead to reduced controllability or loss 
of control of the airplane.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
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(1) Inspect, visually and     Within the next 150   Follow Twin
 using fluorescent dye         hours time-in-        Commander Aircraft
 penetrant, the support        service (TIS) or 12   LLC Alert Service
 structures for the inboard    months after the      Bulletin 236A and
 and center aileron hinge      effective date of     Alert Service
 fittings on both wings for    this AD, whichever    Bulletin 238, both
 cracks.                       occurs first.         dated December 21,
                                                     2004, as
                                                     applicable.
(2) If you do not find        Before further        Follow Twin
 cracks during the             flight after the      Commander Aircraft
 inspection required in        inspection required   LLC Alert Service
 paragraph (e)(1) of this      in paragraph (e)(1)   Bulletin 236A and
 AD, reinforce the support     of this AD. After     Alert Service
 structures for the inboard    the reinforcement     Bulletin 238, both
 and center aileron hinge      is done, no further   dated December 21,
 fittings on both wings that   action is required.   2004, as
 are crack free.                                     applicable.
(3) If you find cracks        Before further        Follow Twin
 during the inspection         flight after the      Commander Aircraft
 required in paragraph         inspection required   LLC Alert Service
 (e)(1) of this AD, replace    in paragraph (e)(1)   Bulletin 236A and
 and reinforce the cracked     of this AD. After     Alert Service
 support structure.            doing the             Bulletin 238, both
                               replacement and       dated December 21,
                               reinforcement, no     2004, as
                               further action is     applicable.
                               required.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, ATTN: Vince Massey, Aerospace Engineer, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98055-4056; 
telephone: (425) 917-6475; fax: (425) 917-6590, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (g) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, 
contact Twin Commander Aircraft LLC, 19010 59th Drive NE, Arlington, 
WA 98223, telephone: (360) 435-9797; facsimile: (360) 435-1112. 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 Docket No. FAA-2006-23785; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 10, 2006.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-3798 Filed 3-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P