[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 13, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35304-35306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14368]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of 
the comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier NPRM for Costruzioni Aeronautiche 
Tecnam srl Model P2006T airplanes. 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 cracking, bulging, deformation, or oil leakage in the 
lower lid of the landing gear emergency accumulator, which could result 
in decreasing the airplane's structural integrity and jeopardizing the 
landing gear emergency extension in case of system failure in normal 
mode. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 30, 2012.

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 proposed AD, contact 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM Airworthiness Office, Via Maiorise--
81043 Capua (CE) Italy; telephone: +39 0823 620134; fax: +39 0823 
622899; email: [email protected] or [email protected]; Internet: 
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.

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; phone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

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://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

    We proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with an earlier NPRM for the 
specified products, which was published in the Federal Register on 
August 8, 2011 (76 FR 48045). That earlier NPRM proposed to require 
actions intended to address the unsafe condition for the products 
listed above.
    Since that NPRM (76 FR 48045, August 8, 2011) was issued, TECNAM 
found that the replacement part number could cause a deformation of the

[[Page 35305]]

emergency accumulator, so TECNAM has developed a modification for the 
landing gear extension emergency accumulator and revised the service 
information to include instructions for that modification.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No.: 2012-0043, dated March 19, 2012 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    During a pre-flight inspection of a P2006T aeroplane, the lower 
skin of the fuselage aft tail cone was found damaged. This damage 
was caused by the lower lid of the LG emergency accumulator, which 
had detached from the LG 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 LG emergency 
extension in case of system failure in normal mode.
    For the reasons described above, EASA issued Emergency AD 2011-
0063-E to require a one-time inspection of the LG emergency 
accumulator cylinder for cracks, deformation or oil leakage and, 
depending on findings, the accomplishment of the applicable 
corrective actions.
    After that AD was issued, Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM 
developed a modification (MOD 2006-108) and published Service 
Bulletin (SB) SB-048-CS Revision 1, dated 06 July 2011, that 
contained the instructions for that modification. Prompted by this 
development, EASA issued PAD 11-070 for consultation until 16 August 
2011, proposing to require incorporation of this modification on all 
affected aeroplanes, and to require certain post-modification 
repetitive inspections.
    During the consultation period of PAD 11-070, an operator who 
had applied Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM SB-048-CS on his 
aeroplane, reported finding abnormal deformation of the emergency 
accumulator, to such an extent that it would jeopardize the LG 
emergency extension in case of system failure in normal mode. To 
address this additional safety concern, Costruzioni Aeronautiche 
TECNAM issued SB-068-CS which contains instructions to inspect post-
modification aeroplanes.
    For the reasons described above, EASA AD 2011-0153-E retained 
the requirements of EASA AD 2011-0063-E, which was superseded, and 
required modification of the landing gear emergency accumulator by 
installation of safety rings and repetitive inspections after 
modification. In addition, prompted by the recent post-modification 
findings, EASA AD 2011-0153-E reduced the compliance time for the 
modification as originally proposed and required additional first-
flight-of-the-day repetitive inspections for the LG emergency 
accumulator cylinder and replacement of the LG emergency accumulator 
if cracks, deformation, or oil leakage is detected.
    AD Revision 2011-0153R1 was issued in order to allow Pilot-
Owners to accomplish the daily pre-flight inspection of the modified 
LG emergency accumulator.
    After that AD Revision, Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM designed 
a new LG emergency accumulator part number 26-9-9500-000, identified 
as modification MOD 2006-121, and published SB-080-CS dated 02 
January 2012, which contains instructions for replacement and 
installation of the newly designed LG emergency accumulator.
    This AD, which supersedes EASA AD 2011-0153R1, requires the 
installation of the new landing gear emergency accumulator part 
number 26-9-9500-000, as well as to inspect after the installation 
the LG emergency accumulator and the LG retraction/extension system.

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 
80-CS, dated January 2, 2012. 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 condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.
    Certain changes described above expand the scope of the earlier 
NPRM. As a result, we have determined that it is necessary to reopen 
the comment period to provide additional opportunity for the public to 
comment on the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 7 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 7 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $1,300 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $13,265, or $1,895 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),
    (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, 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.

[[Page 35306]]

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.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 30, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl Model 
P2006T airplanes, serial numbers (S/N) 001/US through S/N 88/US, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This proposed AD was prompted by cracking, bulging, deformation, 
or oil leakage in the lower lid of the landing gear emergency 
accumulator, which could result in decreasing the airplane's 
structural integrity and jeopardizing the landing gear emergency 
extension in case of system failure in normal mode. We are issuing 
this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the landing gear (LG) emergency accumulator with a new emergency 
accumulator part number 26-9-9500-000, following the instructions in 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service Bulletin SB 80-CS, dated 
January 2, 2012.
    (2) Within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) after compliance with 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and repetitively thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 300 hours TIS, inspect the LG emergency accumulator 
and the LG retraction/extension system for damage and leakage 
following the applicable instructions in Costruzioni Aeronautiche 
TECNAM P2006T Aircraft Maintenance Manual Chapter 5, Inspection 
Program.
    (3) If any damage or leakage is found as a result of any 
inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, before further 
flight, do the applicable corrective actions following the 
instructions in Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM P2006T Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, Document No. 2006/045, 2nd Edition--Revision 1, 
dated April 27, 2011.

 (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: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2012-0043, dated March 19, 2012; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam 
Service Bulletin SB 80-CS, dated January 2, 2012; Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche TECNAM P2006T Aircraft Maintenance Manual Chapter 5, 
Inspection Program; and Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam P2006T 
Maintenance Manual, 2nd Edition, Revision 1, dated April 7, 2011, 
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; email: [email protected], [email protected]; 
Internet: 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 June 7, 2012.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14368 Filed 6-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P