[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 232 (Friday, December 2, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75442-75445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30881]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1328; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-037-AD; 
Amendment 39-16880; AD 2011-25-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Quest Aircraft Design, LLC Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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[[Page 75443]]

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Quest Aircraft Design, LLC (Quest) Model Kodiak 100 airplanes. This AD 
requires you to inspect the torque of the inertial particle separator 
(IPS) bolts; correct the torque, if necessary; replace the IPS bolts 
with new IPS bolts within a certain time; and install safety wire 
around the new IPS bolts. This AD was prompted by five instances where 
a loose IPS bolt was found on the right-hand side of the engine bypass 
door attachment. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an 
inoperable bypass door, which could result in engine inlet icing with 
consequent loss of engine power and forced landing. We are issuing this 
AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 19, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of December 19, 
2011.
    We must receive comments on this AD January 17, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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 Quest 
Aircraft Design, LLC, 1200 Turbine Drive, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864; 
phone: (208) 263-1111; fax: (208) 263-1511; email: http://questaircraft.com/quest/contact-quest/customer-service/; Internet: 
http://questaircraft.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.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tung Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, 
Washington 98057; phone: (425) 917-6505; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We received reports of five instances where a loose IPS bolt was 
found on the right-hand side of the engine bypass door attachment on 
Quest Model Kodiak 100 airplanes. This area attaches the bypass door to 
the actuating shaft. In one of the five instances, the bolt was lost. 
Loose or missing IPS bolts could lead to an inoperable bypass door, 
which could result in engine inlet icing with consequent loss of engine 
power and forced landing.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Quest Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin 
Number SB11-17, Revision: 00, dated November 1, 2011; and Quest 
Aircraft Company Field Service Instruction No. FSI-028, Revision 02, 
(undated). The service information describes procedures for inspecting 
and re-torquing the first IPS bolt, replacing both IPS bolts with new 
bolts, and installing safety wire around the new bolts.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because this 
condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of engine power that 
may lead to a forced landing. Therefore, we find that notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2011-1328 and 
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-037-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect and re-torque the AN4-4A bolt.  0.5 work-hour x $85 per              (*)          $42.50          $1,615
                                         hour = $42.50.

[[Page 75444]]

 
Replace the IPS bolts, part numbers (P/ 1 work-hour x $85 per                 86            $171          $6,498
 N) AN4-4A and AN4-5A, with new IPS      hour = $85.
 bolts, P/N AN4H4A and AN4H5A,
 respectively. Install safety wire
 around the new bolts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Not Applicable.

     According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

    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 States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2011-25-04 Quest Aircraft Design, LLC: Amendment 39-16880; Docket 
No. FAA-2011-1328; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-037-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 19, 2011.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Quest Aircraft Design, LLC Model Kodiak 100 
airplanes, serial numbers 100-0001 through 100-0056, certificated in 
any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 7160, Engine Air Intake System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of five instances where a loose 
IPS bolt was found on the right-hand side of the engine bypass door 
attachment. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an 
inoperable bypass door, which could result in engine inlet icing 
with consequent loss of engine power and forced landing. We are 
issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Torque of the IPS AN4-4A Bolt

    Before further flight on or after December 19, 2011 (the 
effective date of this AD), inspect the torque of the IPS bolt, part 
number (P/N) AN4-4A, and re-torque, if necessary, following Quest 
Aircraft Company Field Service Instruction No. FSI-028, Revision 02, 
(undated) as specified in Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB11-17, 
Revision: 00, dated November 1, 2011.

(h) Replace the IPS AN4-4A and AN4-5A Bolts

    Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS) after December 19, 2011 
(the effective date of this AD), replace the IPS bolts, P/N AN4-4A 
and P/N AN4-5A, with new IPS bolts, P/N AN4H4A and P/N AN4H5A, 
respectively. After installing the new bolts, install safety wire 
around the new bolts. Do the actions following Quest Aircraft 
Company Field Service Instruction No. FSI-028, Revision 02, 
(undated) as specified in Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB11-17, 
Revision: 00, dated November 1, 2011.

(i) Prohibition of Installation of IPS AN4-4A and AN4-5A Bolts

    As of December 19, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), do not 
install any IPS bolts, P/N AN4-4A or P/N AN4-5A.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are permitted with the following 
limitation: Flight into known icing is prohibited.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Tung Tran, Aerospace 
Engineer, Seattle ACO, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057; phone: (425) 917-6505; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

[[Page 75445]]

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 on December 
19, 2011.
    (i) Quest Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB11-
17, Revision: 00, dated November 1, 2011; and
    (ii) Quest Aircraft Company Field Service Instruction No. FSI-
028, Revision 02, (undated).
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Quest 
Aircraft Design, LLC, 1200 Turbine Drive, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864; 
phone: (208) 263-1111; fax: (208) 263-1511; email: http://questaircraft.com/quest/contact-quest/customer-service/; Internet: 
http://questaircraft.com/.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 25, 2011.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-30881 Filed 12-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P