[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 15 (Wednesday, January 24, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3047-3049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-774]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26694; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-91-AD; 
Amendment 39-14899; AD 2007-02-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Reims Aviation S.A. F406 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

* * * several reports regarding discovery of cracks about the rudder 
pulley bracket part number 6015511-1. This pulley bracket is 
installed with the ``Camera Hole'' option.

    This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 13, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-58, 
Rev. 1, dated October 27, 2006, listed in this AD as of February 13, 
2007.
    We must receive comments on this AD by February 23, 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

[[Page 3048]]

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 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 AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

    The Direction Genorale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
aviation authority for France, has issued AD No. F-2005-080, Issue 
date: May 25, 2005, (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products.
The MCAI states:

* * * several reports regarding discovery of cracks about the rudder 
pulley bracket part number 6015511-1. This pulley bracket is 
installed with the ``Camera Hole'' option. This condition, if left 
uncorrected, could result in the loss of rudder control on the 
airplane.

The MCAI requires:

    Prior to the next flight, perform initial inspection as 
specified in the REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. 
F406-58. If no cracking is found following the initial inspection, 
repeat the inspection every 50 flight hours or 1 month whichever 
occurs first and at the latest within the next 100 flight hours or 2 
months after the effective date of this AD whichever occurs first, 
install the modified pulley bracket as specified in the REIMS 
AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No F406-58. If any cracking is 
found, prior to next flight, install the modified pulley bracket as 
specified in the REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No F406-
58.

    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. F406-58, Rev. 1, dated October 27, 2006. 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 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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This 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 have also required 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 AD. These requirements take 
precedence over those copied from the MCAI.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
undetected cracks in the pulley bracket could result in rudder control 
failure. Therefore, 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 opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-26694; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-91-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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 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.

[[Page 3049]]

    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.

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 amends 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 AD:

2007-02-12 Reims Aviation S.A.: Amendment 39-14899; Docket No. FAA-
2006-26694; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-91-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 
13, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following model and serial number 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F406...................................  0002, 0003, 0004, 0006, 0008,
                                          0009, 0010, 0012, 0013, 0017,
                                          0024, 0025, 0039, 0042, 0044,
                                          0045, 0066, 0070, 0073, 0074,
                                          0075, 0077, 0080 through 0090,
                                          and 0092.
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Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

* * * several reports regarding discovery of cracks about the rudder 
pulley bracket part number 6015511-1. This pulley bracket is 
installed with the ``Camera Hole'' option. This condition, if left 
uncorrected, could result in the loss of rudder control on the 
airplane.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
February 13, 2007. (the effective of this AD), perform the initial 
inspection as specified in REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service 
Bulletin No. F406-58, Rev. 1, dated October 27, 2006.
    (2) If no cracking is found following the initial inspection 
required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, repeat the inspection every 
50 flight hours or 1 month, whichever occurs first, until the 
conditions specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this AD are met.
    (3) Within the next 100 hours TIS or 2 months after February 13, 
2007. (the effective of this AD), whichever occurs first, install 
the modified pulley bracket as specified in REIMS AVIATION 
INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No F406-58, Rev. 1, dated October 27, 
2006.
    (4) If any cracking is found during the inspection required in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, prior to next flight, install the 
modified pulley bracket as specified in REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES 
Service Bulletin No F406-58, Rev. 1, dated October 27, 2006.
    (5) The modified pulley bracket specified in REIMS AVIATION 
INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No F406-58, Rev. 1, dated October 27, 
2006, may be installed at any time after the inspection required in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, but must be installed prior to further 
flight if cracking is found.

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, Small Airplane Directorate, ATTN: Mike Kiesov, 
Aerospace Engineer, 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 Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile AD No. F-
2005-080, Issue date: May 25, 2005, and REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES 
Service Bulletin No. F406-58, Rev. 1, dated October 27, 2006, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. 
F406-58, Rev. 1, dated October 27, 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 REIMS 
AVIATION INDUSTRIES, Aerodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 Prunay, 
France, A l'attention du Support Client; telephone 03.26.48.46.53; 
fax: 03.26.49.18.57.
    (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 January 12, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-774 Filed 1-23-07; 8:45 am]
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