[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 21, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46580-46582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16421]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28844; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-066-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica 
Ltda. Model AMT-100/200/200S/300 Gliders

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) originated 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:

    It has been found the occurrence of incorrect use of the self-
locking nuts in bolts subject to rotational loads in bolted fittings 
of some assemblies of metallic components. Such event may result in 
disconnection of those fittings, which jeopardizes the structural 
integrity of the aircraft or its flight controls.

    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 September 20, 
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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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-2007-
28844; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-066-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 Departamento de Aviacao Civil (DAC), which is the aviation 
authority for Brazil, has issued AD No. 2005-12-01, dated January 17, 
2006 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    It has been found the occurrence of incorrect use of the self-
locking nuts in bolts subject to rotational loads in bolted fittings 
of some assemblies of metallic components. Such even may result in 
disconnection of those fittings, which jeopardizes the structural 
integrity of the aircraft or its flight controls.
    Since this condition may occur in other airplanes of the same 
type and affects flight safety, a corrective action is required. 
Thus, sufficient reason exists to request compliance with this AD in 
the indicated time limit.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Aeromot has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 200-20-102, revision 
B, dated January 23, 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 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

[[Page 46581]]

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.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 56 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 8 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $430 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $59,920 or $1,070 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:

Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica ltda.: Docket No. FAA-2007-
28844; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-066-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by September 20, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following gliders in the table below 
that:
    (1) are certificated in any category and
    (2) have not incorporated the actions in their entirety of 
Aeromot SB No. 200-20-102, revision A, dated April 19, 2005.

                         Airplane Applicability
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                 Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMT-100................................  100.001 through 100.003,
                                          100.005 through 100.015,
                                          100.017, 100.019, 100.022
                                          through 100.039, and 100.041
                                          through 100.044.
AMT-100 (modified to AMT-200)..........  100.004, 100.016, 100.018,
                                          100.020, and 100.021.
AMT-200................................  200.040, 200.045 through
                                          200.105, 200.108 through
                                          200.111, 200.113 through
                                          200.118, and 200.121.
AMT-200S...............................  200.119, 200.122 through
                                          200.124, and 200.126 through
                                          200.161.
AMT-300................................  300.106, 300.107, 300.115, and
                                          300.125.
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Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 51: 
Structures.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    It has been found the occurrence of incorrect use of the self-
locking nuts in bolts subject to rotational loads in bolted fittings 
of some assemblies of metallic components. Such even may result in 
disconnection of those fittings, which jeopardizes the structural 
integrity of the aircraft or its flight controls.
    Since this condition may occur in other airplanes of the same 
type and affects flight safety, a corrective action is required. 
Thus, sufficient reason exists to request compliance with this AD in 
the indicated time limit.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within the next 50 hours time-in-
service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, following Aeromot 
Service Bulletin No. 200-20-102 Rev. B, dated January 23, 2006, 
install new bolts, washers, and castellated nuts with cotter pins in 
the following areas:
    (1) both main landing gear legs,
    (2) swivel tail wheel,
    (3) eye-bolt fittings located at firewall inside cabin,
    (4) left and right rudder pedal assembly,
    (5) bellcranks of the rudder cables assembly,
    (6) bellcranks of the propeller pitch control assembly, and
    (7) left and right wing hinge point.

FAA AD Differences

    No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816)

[[Page 46582]]

329-4090. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which 
the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) 
in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, 
your local FSDO.
    (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

    (h) Refer to MCAI Departamento de Aviacao Civil (DAC), which is 
the aviation authority for Brazil, AD No. 2005-12-01; and Aeromot SB 
No. 200-20-102, revision B, dated January 23, 2006, for related 
information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 14, 2007.
Terry L. Chasteen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-16421 Filed 8-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P