[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 4 (Monday, January 8, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 672-674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-50]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26693; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-90-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Reims Aviation S.A. F406 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    This AD is issued following a nose landing gear collapse during 
takeoff roll. Several expertises proved that the locking device of 
the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) actuator rod was on several F406 
airplanes not conforming with the installation approved by the 
manufacturer.

    There were two different landing gear actuator designs installed on 
the F406 airplanes. The actuators used different locking devices to 
retain the spherical rod-end to the actuator rod. Use of the incorrect 
locking device could allow the spherical rod-end to disconnect from the 
actuator rod. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended 
to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 7, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket 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 AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone (816) 329-4144; fax (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
26693; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-90-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 because 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 about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
aviation authority for France, has issued AD No. F-2005-065, dated 
April 27, 2005 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    This AD is issued following a nose landing gear collapse during 
takeoff roll. Several expertises proved that the locking device of 
the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) actuator rod was on several F406 
airplanes not conforming with the installation approved by the 
manufacturer.
    As Main Landing Gear (MLG) actuator rod locking devices are 
similar to the NLG ones, then MLG actuator locking devices shall 
also be inspected.
    This AD requires inspection of the NLG and MLG locking devices 
and as requested their replacement to comply with the manufacturer's 
approved design.

    There were two different landing gear actuator designs installed on 
the F406 airplanes. The actuators used different locking devices to 
retain the spherical rod-end to the actuator rod. Use of the incorrect 
locking device could allow the spherical rod-end to disconnect from the 
actuator rod and consequently the landing gear could collapse. This AD 
requires you to do a one time inspection of the landing gear actuators 
and, if an incorrect locking device is found, replace it with the 
correct locking device.

[[Page 673]]

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Reims Aviation S.A. has issued REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service 
Bulletin No. F406-56, dated April 12, 2005. The actions described in 
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These 
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the 
actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 7 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 5 work-hours per product to comply with the 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required 
parts would cost about $20 per product. Where the service information 
lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have 
assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do not 
control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur 
costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $2,940, or $420 per 
product.

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 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 this 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 and placed it in the AD docket.

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 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:

Reims Aviation S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2006-26693; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-90-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by February 7, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to F406 airplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    This AD is issued following a nose landing gear collapse during 
takeoff roll. Several expertises proved that the locking device of 
the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) actuator rod was on several F406 
airplanes not conforming with the installation approved by the 
manufacturer.
    As Main Landing Gear (MLG) actuator rod locking devices are 
similar to the NLG ones, then MLG actuator locking devices shall 
also be inspected.
    This AD requires inspection of the NLG and MLG locking devices 
and as requested their replacement to comply with the manufacturer's 
approved design.
    There were two different landing gear actuator designs installed 
on the F406 airplanes. The actuators used different locking devices 
to retain the spherical rod-end to the actuator rod. Use of the 
incorrect locking device could allow the spherical rod-end to 
disconnect from the actuator rod and consequently the landing gear 
could collapse. This AD requires you to do a one time inspection of 
the landing gear actuators and, if an incorrect locking device is 
found, replace it with the correct locking device.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 3 months or 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first:
    (i) For airplanes with Teijin Seiki Nose Landing Gear (NLG) P/N 
9910139-9: inspect the NLG for conformity with the key lock system 
installation description in Figure 1 of the REIMS AVIATION 
INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-56, dated April 12, 2005;
    (ii) For airplanes with Cessna NLG P/N 9910139-9: inspect the 
NLG for conformity with the key lock system installation description 
in Figure 2 of the REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. 
F406-56, dated April 12, 2005;
    (iii) For airplanes with Teijin Seiki Main Landing Gear (MLG) P/
N 9910136-8: inspect

[[Page 674]]

the MLG for conformity with the key lock system installation 
description in Figure 3 of the REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service 
Bulletin No. F406-56, dated April 12, 2005;
    (iv) For airplanes with Cessna MLG P/N 9910136-8: inspect the 
MLG for conformity with the key lock system installation description 
in Figure 4 of the REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. 
F406-56, dated April 12, 2005;
    (2) For all airplanes: prior to further flight after any 
inspection from (e)(1) of this AD where the key lock system does not 
conform to the appropriate installation description, install a key 
lock system that conforms to the appropriate installation 
description.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (g) Refer to MCAI Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de L'Aviation 
Civile AD No. F-2005-065, dated April 27, 2005, and REIMS AVIATION 
INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-56, dated April 12, 2005, for 
related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 29, 2006.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-50 Filed 1-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P