[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 27, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66089-66091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23017]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0249; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-088-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Design Limited 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 that would supersede an existing AD. 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 distortion of the rudder bars 
due to rudder control forces during aerobatic operation and nose wheel 
steering reaction forces. Rudder bar distortion could result in reduced 
control or loss of control. 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 December 27, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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.

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, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.
    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: 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: 

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-2007-0249; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-088-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

[[Page 66090]]

proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.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

    In 1987, we issued AD 87-08-01, Amendment 39-5601, and in 1999, we 
issued AD 99-01-04, Amendment 39-10971. Those two ADs required actions 
intended to address an unsafe condition on the products listed above.
    We since determined that it is necessary to expand the airplane 
applicability of AD 99-01-04 to require rudder bar replacement on Alpha 
Aviation Design Limited Model R2160 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through 
378. The requirement to replace the rudder bars makes the inspection 
requirement of AD 87-08-01 no longer necessary.
    The Civil Aviation Authority, which is the aviation authority for 
New Zealand, has issued AD DCA/R2000/23B, dated October 25, 2007 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that rudder 
control forces during aerobatic operation and nose wheel steering 
reaction forces may cause rudder bar distortion. Rudder bar distortion 
could result in reduced control or loss of control.
    The MCAI requires you to replace the left and right rudder bars 
with reinforced rudder bars.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Alpha Aviation has issued Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-003, dated 
October 19, 2007. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 9 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 3 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 $657 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $8,073, or $897 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 removing Amendment 39-5601 and 
Amendment 39-10971, and adding the following new AD:

Alpha Aviation Design Limited: Docket No. FAA-2007-0249; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-CE-088-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by December 27, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 87-08-01, Amendment 39-5601; and AD 
99-01-04, Amendment 39-10971.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model R2160 airplanes, serial numbers 1 
through 378, that:
    (1) Are certificated in any category; and
    (2) Have not installed the improved design rudder bars part 
number (P/N) 27.40.31.010 and P/N 27.40.31.020 following either 
Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 143, dated September 8, 
1995, or Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-003, dated October 
19, 2007.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

[[Page 66091]]

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states that rudder control forces during aerobatic operation and 
nose wheel steering reaction forces may cause rudder bar distortion. 
Rudder bar distortion could result in reduced or loss of control. 
The MCAI requires you to replace the left and right rudder bars with 
reinforced rudder bars.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 99-01-04

    (f) For airplanes with serial numbers 250 through 378: Unless 
already done, within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
March 12, 1999 (the effective date of AD 99-01-04) replace the left 
and right rudder bars, part number (P/N) 27.23.01.010 (left) and P/N 
27.23.01.020 (right), with the reinforced rudder bars, P/N 
27.40.31.010 (left) and P/N 27.40.31.020 (right) or FAA-equivalent 
part numbers, following Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-
003, dated October 19, 2007.

New Requirements of This AD: Actions and Compliance

    (g) For airplanes with serial numbers 1 through 249: Unless 
already done, within the next 50 hours TIS after the effective date 
of this AD or within the next 3 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the left and right rudder 
bars, P/N 27.23.05.010 (left) and P/N 27.23.05.020 (right), with the 
reinforced rudder bars, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and P/N 27.40.31.020 
(right) or FAA-equivalent part numbers, following Alpha Aviation 
Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-003, dated October 19, 2007.

FAA AD Differences

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (h) 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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; 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

    (i) Refer to New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority AD DCA/R2000/
23B, dated October 25, 2007; and Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-
SB-27-003, dated October 19, 2007, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-23017 Filed 11-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P