[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 136 (Monday, July 17, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40385-40387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6225]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 40385]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23785; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD; 
Amendment 39-14681; AD 2006-15-01]
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: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation (Twin Commander) Models 690, 690A, 
and 690B airplanes. This AD requires 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 AD requires you to reinforce the 
support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on 
both wings. This 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 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: This AD becomes effective on August 21, 2006.
    As of August 21, 2006, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Twin 
Commander Aircraft LLC, 19010 59th Drive Northeast, Arlington, 
Washington 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 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2006-23785; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vince Massey, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
WA 98057; telephone: (425) 917-6475; facsimile: (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On March 10, 2006, 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 Twin Commander Models 690, 690A, and 690B, 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 16, 2006 (71 FR 13558). 
The NPRM proposed to 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. The NPRM proposed to require you to 
reinforce the support structures for the inboard and center aileron 
hinge fittings on both wings.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the proposal 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 
except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these 
minor corrections.
     Are consistent with 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.

Costs of Compliance

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total cost for
             Labor cost                    Parts cost        each airplane      Total cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 work-hours x $80 an hour = $800.  Not applicable.......            $800  $800 x 275 = $220,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do the inspection of the support 
structure of the center aileron hinge fittings on both wings:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total cost for
             Labor cost                    Parts cost        each airplane      Total cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 work-hours x $80 an hour = $960.  Not applicable.......            $960  $960 x 275 = $264,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 40386]]

    We estimate the following costs to do the reinforcement to the 
support structures on the inboard aileron hinge fittings on both wings:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Labor cost                Parts cost             Total cost for each airplane                       Total cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 work-hours x $80 an hour = $2,000.       $1,526  $2,000 + $1,526 = $3,526.........................  $3,526 x 275 = $969,650
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do the reinforcement of the 
support structure of the center aileron hinge fittings on both wings:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Labor cost                Parts cost             Total cost for each airplane                       Total cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 work-hours x $80 an hour = $4,000.         $551  $4,000 + $551 = $4,551...........................  $4,551 x 275 = $1,251,525
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any replacements of the 
support structures for the inboard aileron hinge fittings on both wings 
that may be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no 
way of determining the numb er 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 replacements of support 
structure for the center aileron hinge fittings on both wings that may 
be required based on the results of the 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 
requirement.'' 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

    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.
    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 
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 ``Docket 
No. FAA-2006-23785; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-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.  3913 by adding the following new AD:

2006-15-01 Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-14681; 
Docket No. FAA-2006-23785; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on August 21, 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.

[[Page 40387]]

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect, visually and     Within the next 150   Follow Twin
 using fluorescent dye         hours time-in-        Commander Aircraft
 penetrant, the support        service or 12         LLC Alert Service
 structures for the inboard    months after August   Bulletin 236A and
 and center aileron hinge      21, 2006 (the         Alert Service
 fittings on both wings for    effective date of     Bulletin 238, both
 cracks.                       this AD), whichever   dated December 21,
                               occurs first.         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    doing the             Bulletin 238, both
 and center aileron hinge      reinforcement, no     dated December 21,
 fittings on both wings that   further action is     2004, as
 are crack free.               required.             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, ACO, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone: (425) 917-6475; facsimile: 
(425) 917-6590, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following Twin 
Commander Aircraft LLC Alert Service Bulletin 236A and Twin 
Commander Aircraft LLC Alert Service Bulletin 238, both dated 
December 21, 2004. The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of these service bulletins in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get a copy of this 
service information, contact Twin Commander Aircraft LLC, 19010 59th 
Drive NE., Arlington, WA 98223, telephone: (360) 435-9797; 
facsimile: (360) 435-1112. To review copies of this service 
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030. To 
view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; US 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif 
Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet 
at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2006-23785; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 7, 2006.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06-6225 Filed 7-14-06; 8:45 am]
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