[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 135 (Thursday, July 16, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34520-34522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16941]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0611; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-165-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. 
(CASA), Model C-212-CB, C-212-CC, C-212-CD, and C-212-CE Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 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:


[[Page 34521]]


    Honeywell International, the manufacturer of the SPZ200 
autopilot system installed on the EADS-CASA C-212 series aircraft, 
has identified a series of servo-motors * * * designed for use in 
the SPZ200 autopilot system, whose failure can lead to a potential 
unsafe flight condition. * * *

* * * * *
The unsafe condition is failure of the servo-motors, which could result 
in roll oscillations or possible hard-over failures when the autopilot 
is engaged. 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 August 17, 2009.

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 W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
EADS-CASA, Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD), Integrated 
Customer Services (ICS), Technical Services, Avenida de Arag[oacute]n 
404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone +34 91 585 55 84; fax +34 91 585 55 
05; e-mail [email protected]; Internet http://www.eads.net. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
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 Operations 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: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.

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-2009-0611; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-165-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 based on 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 EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0144, dated August 1, 2008 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Honeywell International, the manufacturer of the SPZ200 
autopilot system installed on the EADS-CASA C-212 series aircraft, 
has identified a series of servo-motors, P/N [part number] 4006719-
904 and P/N 4006719-913, designed for use in the SPZ200 autopilot 
system, whose failure can lead to a potential unsafe flight 
condition. To address and correct this situation, Honeywell 
International has published Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 4006719-22-
A0016 (Revised) dated 1 November 2004, that identifies the affected 
servo-motors by serial number, recommending the removal of these 
units from the aircraft and including modification instructions to 
be accomplished prior to reinstallation.
    EADS-CASA has determined that the flight safety of the C-212 
aircraft is at risk. Consequently, Boletin de Servicio (Service 
Bulletin) SB-212-22-16 has been published to advise C-212 operators 
of this condition and to recommend that the affected servo-motors 
are modified or replaced with modified units.
    For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires the 
identification of the affected servo-motors and modification or 
replacement with modified units.

The unsafe condition is failure of the servo-motors, which could result 
in roll oscillations or possible hard-over failures when the autopilot 
is engaged. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in 
the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    CASA has issued Service Bulletin SB-212-22-16, dated March 13, 
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 This 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 the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

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 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 26 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 5 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $10,400, or $400 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,

[[Page 34522]]

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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Docket No. FAA-2009-0611; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-165-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by August 17, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to CASA Model C-212-CB, C-212-CC, C-212-CD 
and C-212-CE airplanes, all serial numbers; certificated in any 
category; on which autopilot servo-drive actuators (servo-motors) 
having part number (P/N) 4006719-904 or 4006719-913 are installed.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22: Auto 
flight.

Reason

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

    Honeywell International, the manufacturer of the SPZ200 
autopilot system installed on the EADS-CASA C-212 series aircraft, 
has identified a series of servo-motors, P/N [part number] 4006719-
904 and P/N 4006719-913, designed for use in the SPZ200 autopilot 
system, whose failure can lead to a potential unsafe flight 
condition. To address and correct this situation, Honeywell 
International has published Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 4006719-22-
A0016 (Revised) dated 1 November 2004, that identifies the affected 
servo-motors by serial number, recommending the removal of these 
units from the aircraft and including modification instructions to 
be accomplished prior to reinstallation.
    EADS-CASA has determined that the flight safety of the C-212 
aircraft is at risk. Consequently, Boletin de Servicio (Service 
Bulletin) SB-212-22-16 has been published to advise C-212 operators 
of this condition and to recommend that the affected servo-motors 
are modified or replaced with modified units.
    For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires the 
identification of the affected servo-motors and modification or 
replacement with modified units.

The unsafe condition is failure of the servo-motors, which could 
result in roll oscillations or possible hard-over failures when the 
autopilot is engaged.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Identify affected servo-motors having P/N 4006719-904 and P/N 
4006719-913 and modify each unit or replace with a modified unit, in 
accordance with the instructions of CASA Service Bulletin SB-212-22-
16, dated March 13, 2006.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, a servo-motor having P/N 4006719-904 or 4006719-
913, and any affected serial number identified in Honeywell Alert 
Service Bulletin 4006719-22-A0016, dated November 1, 2004 
(referenced in CASA Service Bulletin SB-212-22-16, dated March 13, 
2006, as the source of service information for accomplishing the 
modification), unless it has been modified in accordance with 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

    Note 1: The 8 digit serial number specified in Honeywell Service 
Bulletin 4006719-22-A0016, dated November 1, 2004, is a combination 
date code and serial number. The format is as follows: YYMMXXXX--YY 
is the year; MM is the month, and XXXX is a sequential manufacturing 
serial number (e.g., a unit with number 0111XXXX was manufactured in 
November 2001).

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: 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, 
International Branch, ANM-116, 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: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any 
approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your 
principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics 
inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, 
your local Flight Standards District Office.
    (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 ensure 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, 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 Airworthiness 
Directive 2008-0144, dated August 1, 2008, and CASA Service Bulletin 
SB-212-22-16, dated March 13, 2006, for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 2, 2009.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-16941 Filed 7-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P