[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53766-53768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21701]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0991; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-054-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Model 
DA 42 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) 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:

    In-service experience indicates that the powder coating of the 
rear right hand (RH) engine support bracket degrades over time, 
leading to a reduced torque of the engine mountings bolts. In some 
cases, bolts had fully unscrewed and fell into the engine cowling. 
One case was reported where the pilot had to shut down an engine in 
flight because of a failed V-belt, the cause of failure assumed to 
be one of these bolts. This condition, if not corrected, may lead to 
further cases of loose bolts and subsequent damage to the engine or 
accessories in the engine compartment, possibly resulting in in-
flight engine shut-down and reduced control of the aircraft.

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 October 17, 
2008.

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 
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: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; 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-2008-0991; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-054-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://www.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

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2008-0139, dated July 24, 2008 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    In-service experience indicates that the powder coating of the 
rear right hand (RH) engine support bracket degrades over time, 
leading to a reduced torque of the engine mountings bolts. In some 
cases, bolts had fully unscrewed and fell into the engine cowling. 
One case was reported where the pilot had to shut down an engine in 
flight because of a failed V-belt, the cause of failure assumed to 
be one of these bolts. This condition, if not corrected, may lead to 
further cases of loose bolts and subsequent damage to the engine or 
accessories in the engine compartment, possibly resulting in in-
flight engine shut-down and reduced control of the aircraft.
    To address and correct this situation, DAI has published MSB-42-
058, providing instructions to accomplish repetitive inspections and 
correction of the fastening torque of the affected engine mounting 
bolts and replacement of the bolts with wire-secured bolts Part 
Number (P/N) D60-9071-26-01, after which the repetitive torque 
checks are no longer required.
    For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires the 
accomplishment of repetitive torque checks of the affected engine 
mounting bolts and replacement of the bolts with wire-secured bolts.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH has issued Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. MSB-42-058, dated May 21, 2008; and Work Instruction WI-
MSB-42-058, dated March 12, 2008. 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

[[Page 53767]]

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

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 157 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1.5 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 $0 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 costs. 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 the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $18,840, or $120 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:

Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2008-0991; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-054-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by October 17, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model DA 42 airplanes, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category, that have Thielert TAE125-01 
engines installed, except those airplanes with engines identified by 
serial number in Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. MSB-42-058, dated May 21, 2008, that have been 
installed on the aircraft with wedge locking washers and bonded-in 
bolts and are therefore not affected by this AD.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 71: Power 
Plant.

Reason

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

    In-service experience indicates that the powder coating of the 
rear right hand (RH) engine support bracket degrades over time, 
leading to a reduced torque of the engine mountings bolts. In some 
cases, bolts had fully unscrewed and fell into the engine cowling. 
One case was reported where the pilot had to shut down an engine in 
flight because of a failed V-belt, the cause of failure assumed to 
be one of these bolts. This condition, if not corrected, may lead to 
further cases of loose bolts and subsequent damage to the engine or 
accessories in the engine compartment, possibly resulting in in-
flight engine shut-down and reduced control of the aircraft.
    To address and correct this situation, DAI has published MSB-42-
058, providing instructions to accomplish repetitive inspections and 
correction of the fastening torque of the affected engine mounting 
bolts and replacement of the bolts with wire-secured bolts Part 
Number (P/N) D60-9071-26-01, after which the repetitive torque 
checks are no longer required.
    For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires the 
accomplishment of repetitive torque checks of the affected engine 
mounting bolts and replacement of the bolts with wire-secured bolts.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours 
TIS, do the inspection and correction of the fastening torque of the 
RH rear engine support bracket mounting bolts following Diamond 
Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-42-058, 
dated May 21, 2008; and Action 1 of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH 
Work Instruction WI-MSB-42-058, dated March 12, 2008.
    (2) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
all RH rear engine support bracket mounting bolts with wire-secured 
bolts, P/N D60-9071-26-01, following Diamond Aircraft Industries 
GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-42-058, dated May 21, 2008; 
and Action 2 of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work Instruction 
WI-MSB-42-058, dated March 12, 2008.
    (3) After installation of the wire-secured bolts, P/N D60-9071-
26-01, as required by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, the repetitive 
torque inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD are no 
longer required.
    (4) As of 6 months after the effective date of this AD, no 
person shall install spare RH rear engine support bracket mounting 
bolts as replacement parts on any aircraft to which this AD applies, 
except wire-secured bolts identified by P/N D60-9071-26-01.

[[Page 53768]]

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: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2008-0139, dated July 24, 2008; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-42-058, dated May 21, 2008; and 
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work Instruction WI-MSB-42-058, 
dated March 12, 2008, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 10, 2008.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-21701 Filed 9-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P