[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 152 (Monday, August 8, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48045-48047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20037]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 152 / Monday, August 8, 2011 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 48045]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0816; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-022-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl 
Model P2006T 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:

    Damaged lower skin of the fuselage aft tail cone was found 
during a preflight inspection of a P2006T aeroplane. This damage was 
caused by the lower lid of the emergency accumulator for the 
extension of the landing gear. The lid had detached from the 
emergency accumulator, violently hitting the lower skin of the 
fuselage aft tail cone and damaging the accumulator cylinder.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could impair the 
aeroplane structural integrity and jeopardize the landing gear 
emergency extension in case of system failure in normal mode.

    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 22, 
2011.

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.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche TECNAM Airworthiness Office, Via Maiorise--81043 Capua 
(CE) Italy; telephone: +39 0823 620134; fax: +39 0823 622899; e-mail: 
[email protected], [email protected]; Internet: http://www.tecnam.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148; e-mail: 
[email protected].

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: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; 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-2011-0816; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-022-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://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 
AD No.: 2011-0063-E, dated April 6, 2011 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Damaged lower skin of the fuselage aft tail cone was found 
during a preflight inspection of a P2006T aeroplane. This damage was 
caused by the lower lid of the emergency accumulator for the 
extension of the landing gear. The lid had detached from the 
emergency accumulator, violently hitting the lower skin of the 
fuselage aft tail cone and damaging the accumulator cylinder.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could impair the 
aeroplane structural integrity and jeopardize the landing gear 
emergency extension in case of system failure in normal mode.
    For the above described reasons, EASA AD 2011-0059-E required an 
inspection of the emergency accumulator cylinder for absence of 
crack, deformation or oil leakage, and the accomplishment of the 
applicable corrective actions.
    This AD, which supersedes EASA AD 2011-0059-E partially 
retaining its requirements, reduces the compliance time for the 
required inspection, as other failures of the emergency accumulator 
have occurred since AD 2011-0059-E was issued.
    This AD is considered to be an interim measure and, after 
approval of a modification already designed by the Type Certificate 
holder, further AD actions may follow.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam has issued Service Bulletin No. SB 
047-CS, Revision 1, dated April 4, 2011. The actions described in this 
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

[[Page 48046]]

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

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 3 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $255, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $800, for a cost of 
$885 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products 
that may need these actions.

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, 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:

Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl: Docket No. FAA-2011-0816; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-022-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by September 22, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl 
P2006T airplanes, serial number (S/N) 001/US through S/N 065/US, 
certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Damaged lower skin of the fuselage aft tail cone was found 
during a preflight inspection of a P2006T aeroplane. This damage was 
caused by the lower lid of the emergency accumulator for the 
extension of the landing gear. The lid had detached from the 
emergency accumulator, violently hitting the lower skin of the 
fuselage aft tail cone and damaging the accumulator cylinder.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could impair the 
aeroplane structural integrity and jeopardize the landing gear 
emergency extension in case of system failure in normal mode.
    For the above described reasons, EASA AD 2011-0059-E required an 
inspection of the emergency accumulator cylinder for absence of 
crack, deformation or oil leakage, and the accomplishment of the 
applicable corrective actions.
    This AD, which supersedes EASA AD 2011-0059-E partially 
retaining its requirements, reduces the compliance time for the 
required inspection, as other failures of the emergency accumulator 
have occurred since AD 2011-0059-E was issued.
    This AD is considered to be an interim measure and, after 
approval of a modification already designed by the Type Certificate 
holder, further AD actions may follow.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, before further flight after the 
effective date of this AD, do the following actions following 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service Bulletin No. SB 047-CS, 
Edition 1, Revision 1, dated April 4, 2011:
    (1) Inspect the emergency accumulator part number (P/N) 22-9-
610-000 for cracks, deformities, or oil leaks.
    (2) If during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD any cracks, deformities, or oil leaks are found, before 
further flight, replace the emergency accumulator P/N 22-9-610-000 
with a serviceable part, following the instructions in Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam P2006T Maintenance Manual, 2nd Edition, Revision 
1, dated April 27, 2011, Chapter 29-10, paragraph 5.

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

[[Page 48047]]

for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Send information to ATTN: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; e-
mail: [email protected]. 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, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2011-0063-E, dated April 6, 2011; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam 
Service Bulletin No. SB 047-CS, Revision 1, dated April 4, 2011; and 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam P2006T Maintenance Manual, 2nd 
Edition, Revision 1, dated April 7, 2011, Chapter 29-10, paragraph 5 
for related information. For service information related to this AD, 
contact Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM Airworthiness Office, Via 
Maiorise--81043 Capua (CE) Italy; telephone: +39 0823 620134; fax: 
+39 0823 622899; e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]; 
Internet: http://www.tecnam.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 27, 2011.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-20037 Filed 8-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P