[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 6, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5364-5366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1873]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26494; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-79-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Design Limited (Type 
Certificate No. A48EU previously held by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS 
PIERRE ROBIN) Model R2160 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:

* * * unchecked corrosion developing on the wing spars due to access 
for inspections being difficult under normal maintenance practices, 
which could lead to an unsafe condition and possibly a failure of 
the wing.

    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 March 8, 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.

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     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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; 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-
26494; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-79-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 Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, which is the 
airworthiness authority for New Zealand, has issued AD DCA/R2000/37, 
dated September 28, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

* * * unchecked corrosion developing on the wing spars due to access 
for inspections being difficult under normal maintenance practices, 
which could lead to an unsafe condition and possibly a failure of 
the wing, remove the main landing gear legs and all the wing 
inspection panels per the instructions in the aircraft Maintenance 
Manual.
    The MCAI Requires:
    Inspect the visible parts of the spar web, the front face of the 
spar and the upper and lower boom angle per Avions Pierre Robin 
Service Letter No. 19 and Service Bulletin No. 99.
    It may be necessary to cut inspection holes or remove the wings 
to achieve this. Inspection holes must be prepared to a manufacturer 
approved repair scheme (approved by FAA).
    If corrosion is found, treat per SL No. 19 and SB No. 99 before 
further flight.
    If corrosion is found that exceeds the limits specified in 
Service Letter No. 19, repair per a manufacturer approved repair 
scheme before further flight.

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

Relevant Service Information

    AVIONS PIERRE ROBIN (recent type certificate responsibility was 
with APEX Aircraft and current responsibility with Alpha Aviation 
Design Limited) issued Avions Pierre Robin Service Letter No. 19, dated 
October 1980, and Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 99, dated 
June 24, 1983. 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 
highlighted in a note within 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 10 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 28 work-hours per product to comply with the 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $22,400, or $2,240 per product.
    We have no way of determining the number of products that may need 
any necessary follow-on actions. Since the corrosion damage would vary 
from airplane to airplane, we are not able to estimate the costs of 
each follow-on action.

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

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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:

Alpha Aviation Design Limited (Type Certificate No. A48EU previously 
held by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS PIERRE ROBIN): Docket No. FAA-2006-
26494; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-79-AD

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by March 8, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model R2160 airplanes, serial numbers 001 
through 378, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.

Reason

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

* * * unchecked corrosion developing on the wing spars due to access 
for inspections being difficult under normal maintenance practices, 
which could lead to an unsafe condition and possibly a failure of 
the wing.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions within 66 
months after aircraft date of manufacture or within 6 months after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless 
already done within the last 24 months, and thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 24 months. Accomplishment of European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD 2005-0028 satisfies the requirement of this AD. If 
the spars are replaced, the inspections at intervals of 24 months 
must be resumed within 60 months from the date of replacement:
    (1) Inspect the visible parts of the spar web, the front face of 
the spar, and the upper and lower boom angle following Avions Pierre 
Robin Service Letter No. 19, dated October 1980, and Avions Pierre 
Robin Service Bulletin No. 99, dated June 24, 1983.
    (2) If corrosion is found as a result of the inspection required 
by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD that does not exceed the limits in 
the service bulletins, before further flight, treat the corrosion 
following Avions Pierre Robin Service Letter No. 19, dated October 
1980, and Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 99, dated June 
24, 1983.
    (3) If corrosion is found as a result of the inspection required 
by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD that does exceed the limits specified 
in Avions Pierre Robin Service Letter No. 19, dated October 1980, 
before further flight, repair following a manufacturer approved 
repair scheme.

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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; 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 New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority AD DCA/
R2000/37, dated September 28, 2006, and Avions Pierre Robin Service 
Letter No. 19, dated October 1980; and Avions Pierre Robin Service 
Bulletin No. 99, dated June 24, 1983, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 31, 2007.
Margaret Kline,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-1873 Filed 2-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P