[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 237 (Monday, December 11, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71478-71480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20860]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26400; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-71-AD; 
Amendment 39-14948; AD 2006-25-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Models 
LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for all 
Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (previously The Lancair Company) Models 
LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG airplanes equipped with Kelly Aerospace 
Thermal Systems Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA02260CH, 
Thermawing Deice System (also known as E-Vade). This AD requires you to 
deactivate the deice system and install a placard in clear view of the 
pilot. This AD results from problems with the installation of the Kelly 
Aerospace Thermal Systems Thermawing Deice System following STC 
SA02260CH. We are issuing this AD to prevent a short circuit condition 
at the deice heater connector, which could result in damage to the 
wings and horizontal stabilizer. This damage could lead to reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 21, 2006.
    As of December 21, 2006, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulation.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by February 9, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 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 20590-0001.
     Fax: (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.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    To get the service information identified in this AD, contact Kelly 
Aerospace Thermal Systems, 1625 Lost Nation Road, Willoughby, Ohio 
44094; telephone: (440) 951-4744; fax: (440) 951-4725.
    To view the comments to this AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. The 
docket number is FAA-2006-26400; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-71-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Boffo, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 E. Devon Avenue, Room 107, 
Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7564; fax: (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received reports of problems with the installation of the Kelly 
Aerospace Thermal Systems Thermawing Deice System (also known as E-
Vade) on Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Models LC41-550FG and LC42-
550FG airplanes following Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
SA02260CH.
    A short circuit condition at the deice heater connector to the 
copper mesh material imbedded in the composite airplane structure (for 
lightning protection) caused burning of the wings and horizontal 
stabilizer, which created holes in the structure.
    The short circuit was caused by insufficient removal of copper mesh 
when the deice heater connectors were installed.
    This condition, if not corrected, could cause damage to the wings 
and horizontal stabilizer resulting in reduced structural integrity of 
the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems Service Letter Bulletin 
No. SL-06-001, Issue Date: November 15, 2006. The service information 
describes procedures for disabling the E-Vade system.

[[Page 71479]]

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This AD requires 
disabling the E-Vade system and installing a placard in clear view of 
the pilot.
    In preparing this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft 
operators to get technical information and information on operational 
and economic impacts. We did not receive any information through these 
contacts. If received, we would have included a discussion of any 
information that may have influenced this action in the rulemaking 
docket.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, 
or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26400; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-71-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 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 we 
receive concerning this AD.

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 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 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is 
located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2006-25-08 Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (Previously the Lancair 
Company): Amendment 39-14948; Docket No. FAA-2006-26400; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-71-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on December 21, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG 
airplanes, all serial numbers equipped with Kelly Aerospace Thermal 
Systems Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA02260CH, that are 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from problems with the installation of the 
Kelly Aerospace Thermawing Deice System (also known as E-Vade) 
following STC SA02260CH. We are issuing this AD to prevent a short 
circuit condition at the deice heater connector, which could result 
in damage to the wings and horizontal stabilizer. This damage could 
lead to reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Deactivate the Kelly          Before further      Follow Kelly
 Aerospace Thermal Systems         flight after        Aerospace Thermal
 Thermawing Deice System           December 21, 2006   Systems Service
 installed following STC           (the effective      Letter Bulletin
 SA02260CH.                        date of this AD).   No. SL-06-001,
                                                       Issue Date:
                                                       November 15,
                                                       2006.

[[Page 71480]]

 
(2) Fabricate a placard that      Before further      The owner/operator
 incorporates the following        flight after        holding at least
 words (using at least \1/4\-      December 21, 2006   a private pilot
 inch black letter on a white      (the effective      certificate as
 background) and install this      date of this AD).   authorized by
 placard in clear view of the                          section 43.7 of
 pilot.``DEICE SYSTEM                                  the Federal
 INOPERABLE''.                                         Aviation
                                                       Regulations (14
                                                       CFR 43.7) may
                                                       fabricate and
                                                       install the
                                                       placard. Make an
                                                       entry into the
                                                       aircraft records
                                                       showing
                                                       compliance with
                                                       these portions of
                                                       the AD in
                                                       accordance with
                                                       section 43.9 of
                                                       the Federal
                                                       Aviation
                                                       Regulations (14
                                                       CFR 43.9).
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
ATTN: Roy Boffo, Aerospace Engineer, 2300 E. Devon Avenue, Room 107, 
Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7564; fax: (847) 294-
7834, 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 use Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems Service Letter 
Bulletin No. SL-06-001, Issue Date: November 15, 2006, to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Kelly 
Aerospace Thermal Systems, 1625 Lost Nation Road, Willoughby, Ohio 
44094; telephone: (440) 951-4744; fax: (440) 951-4725.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 2006.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-20860 Filed 12-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P