[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 20, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65215-65217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22176]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 20, 2007 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 65215]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28844; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-066-AD; 
Amendment 39-15261; AD 2007-23-15]
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: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

    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.
    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.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 26, 2007.
    On December 26, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

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: 

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 August 21, 2007 (72 
FR 46580). That NPRM proposed 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 event 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.

    The MCAI requires the replacement of washers, nuts, and bolts 
installed in the applicable assemblies with new bolts, washers, and 
castellated nuts with cotter pins.

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 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 56 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 8 work-hours per product to 
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $430 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the 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 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
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:

[[Page 65216]]

    (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://www.regulations.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) 647-5527) 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:

2007-23-15 Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda.: Amendment 
39-15261; Docket No. FAA-2007-28844; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-
066-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
26, 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 SBNo. 200-20-102, revision A, dated April 19, 2005; or 
Aeromot SB No. 200-20-102, revision B, dated January 23, 2006.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Models                                                 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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 event 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.
    The MCAI requires the replacement of washers, nuts and bolts 
installed in the applicable assemblies with new bolts, washers and 
castellated nuts with cotter pins.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within the next 50 hours time-in-
service (TIS) after December 26, 2007 (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

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, 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) 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 
Service Bulletin No. 200-20-102, Revision B, dated January 23, 2006, 
for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Aeromot Service Bulletin No. 200-20-102, 
Revision B, dated January 23, 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 
Aeromot, Av. das Industrias, 1290 Porto Alegre--RS--Brazil; 
telephone: +55 51 3357 8550; fax: +55 51 3371 1655.
    (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.


[[Page 65217]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 7, 2007.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-22176 Filed 11-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P