[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 7, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10052-10054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3835]


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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; 
Amendment 39-14970; AD 2007-05-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; REIMS AVIATION S.A. Model F406 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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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 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 
Model F406 airplanes (Teijin Seiki and Cessna). 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. We are issuing 
this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 11, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 11, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket

[[Page 10053]]

Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

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

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 8, 2007 (72 
FR 672). That NPRM proposed 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.

    The MCAI requires:

    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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

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 also have 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, and take precedence over 
the actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 7 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 5 work-hours per product to 
comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 
Required parts will 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 parts. 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 this AD to the 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 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 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 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 the NPRM, 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.

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:

2007-05-09 REIMS AVIATION S.A.: Amendment 39-14970; Docket No. FAA-
2006-26693; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-90-AD.

[[Page 10054]]

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 
11, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model 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.

There were two different landing gear actuator designs installed on 
the Model F406 airplanes (Teijin Seiki and Cessna). 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.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 3 months or 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
April 11, 2007 (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 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; and
    (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) Before 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, for related 
information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. 
F406-56, dated April 12, 2005, 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, A[eacute]rodrome 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, Room 506, 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 23, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-3835 Filed 3-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P