[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 110 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33622-33624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13558]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0279; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-007-AD; 
Amendment 39-17073; AD 2012-11-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Concept Limited (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Alpha Aviation Design Limited) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Alpha 
Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160 Airplanes. This AD results from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 oil lines fitted to affected aircraft are not fire 
resistant. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 12, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 12, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document 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.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Alpha 
Aviation Concept Limited, Ingram Road, Hamilton Airport, RD 2, Hamilton 
2021, New Zealand; telephone: 011 64 7 843 7070; fax: 011 64 7843 8040; 
email: [email protected]; Internet:  http://www.alphaaviation.co.nz. 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.

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; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 19, 2012 (77 
FR 15980). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    It has been determined that the oil lines fitted to affected 
aircraft are not fire resistant and not compliant with the 
requirements in FAR 23.1183. To correct this unsafe condition the 
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand issued DCA/R2000/34 
requiring the replacement of oil lines with fire resistant lines. 
Since the issue of that AD it has been determined that the oil 
transmitter hoses are also not compliant with FAR 23.1183. DCA/
R2000/40 retains the requirements in superseded DCA/R2000/34. The AD 
requirement expanded to include the replacement of the oil pressure 
transducer hoses.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 15980, March 19, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 15980, March 19, 2012).

[[Page 33623]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 10 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 4 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $510 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $8,500, or $850 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 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 this AD:
    (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),
    (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.

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 the NPRM, 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.

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 AD:

2012-11-10 Alpha Aviation Concept Limited: Amendment 39-17073; 
Docket No. FAA-2012-0279; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-007-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 12, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160 
airplanes, serial numbers 001 through 378, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 79: Engine Oil.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that the oil lines and 
the oil pressure transducer hose fitted to affected aircraft are not 
fire resistant. We are issuing this AD to detect and replace non-
fire resistant oil lines, which, if not corrected, could lead to an 
inflight fire.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after July 12, 2012 
(the effective date of this AD), replace the oil hose lines (part 
number (P/N) 41-23-56-000, 53-11-10-000, 53-20-13-000, 53-20-14-000, 
53-34-10-010, 53-18-02-030, 53-21-14-000, or 53-22-01-000) following 
Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 020310, dated June 3, 2002, and 
replace the oil pressure transducer hose and associated hardware 
following Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-79-001, Revision 0, 
dated February 2012.
    (2) As of July 12, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), do not 
install any oil hose lines with P/N 41-23-56-000, 53-11-10-000, 53-
20-13-000, 53-20-14-000, 53-34-10-010, 53-18-02-030, 53-21-14-000, 
or 53-22-01-000 on the affected aircraft.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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; 
email: [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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand AD DCA/
R2000/40, dated February 23, 2012; Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin 
No. 020310, dated June 3, 2002; and Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin 
AA-SB-79-001, Revision 0, dated February 2012, for related 
information. For service information related to this AD, contact 
Alpha Aviation Concept Limited, Ingram Road, Hamilton Airport, RD 2, 
Hamilton 2021, New Zealand; telephone: 011 64 7 843 7070; fax: 011 
64

[[Page 33624]]

7843 8040; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
http://www.alphaaviation.co.nz. 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.

(i) 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:
    (i) Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 020310, dated June 3, 
2002; and
    (ii) Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-79-001, Revision 0, 
dated February 2012.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Alpha 
Aviation Concept Limited, Ingram Road, Hamilton Airport, RD 2, 
Hamilton 2021, New Zealand; telephone: 011 64 7 843 7070; fax: 011 
64 7843 8040; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
http://www.alphaaviation.co.nz.
    (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 May 29, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-13558 Filed 6-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P