[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 5, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72252-72254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29395]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1274; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-042-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Reims Aviation S.A. 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 
Reims Aviation S.A. Model F406 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 improper material used in nose landing gear (NLG) 
attachment brackets which could lead to failure of the NLG bracket with 
consequent damage to the airplane while landing. 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 January 22, 
2013.

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 
Reims Aviation Industries, A[eacute]rodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 
Prunay, France; telephone + 33 3 26 48 46 65; fax + 33 3 26 49 18 57; 
email: [email protected]; Internet: 
www.geciaviation.com/en/f406.html. 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; telephone: (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-2012-1274; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-042-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

[[Page 72253]]

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.: 2012-0202, dated October 1, 2012 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    During the manufacturing process, RAI found that some of the 
nose landing gear (NLG) attachment brackets, Part Number (P/N) 
6013119-1, were made of aluminum alloy, instead of steel. The 
results of the investigations showed that some of these aluminum 
alloy brackets are likely to be installed on aeroplanes currently in 
service.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of the NLG attachment bracket and jamming of the NLG 
extension/retraction mechanism, possibly resulting in a runway 
excursion and consequent damage to the aeroplane and injury to the 
occupants.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires inspection of 
the NLG attachment bracket P/N 6013119-1 and, depending on findings, 
replacement with a serviceable bracket made of steel.
    In addition, as some aluminum alloy P/N 6013119-1 NLG attachment 
brackets may have been supplied as spares, this AD also requires 
determination that the part is made of steel, prior to installation.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Reims Aviation S.A. has issued Service Bulletin No. F406-74, dated 
September 26, 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.

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 .5 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 $42.50, or $297.50 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $500, for a cost of 
$755 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),
    (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.

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:

Reims Aviation S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2012-1274; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-CE-042-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 22, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Reims Aviation S.A. F406 airplanes, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of improper material used in 
nose landing gear (NLG) attachment brackets which could lead to 
failure of the NLG bracket with consequent damage to the airplane 
while landing. We are issuing this proposed AD to ensure the proper 
NLG attachment bracket is installed.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions following the 
instructions in Reims Aviation S.A. Service Bulletin No. F406-74, 
dated September 26, 2012:
    (1) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD or within the next 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the nose 
landing gear (NLG) attachment brackets, part number (P/N) 6013119-1, 
to verify if they are made of steel and not aluminum alloy.
    (2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, you find that a NLG attachment bracket made of aluminum 
alloy is installed, before further flight, replace with an airworthy 
steel NLG attachment bracket, P/N 6013119-1.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any NLG 
attachment bracket P/N 6013119-1 that has not been confirmed to be 
made of steel.

[[Page 72254]]

(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. 
2012-0202, dated October 1, 2012; and Reims Aviation S.A. Service 
Bulletin No. F406-74, dated September 26, 2012, for related 
information. For service information related to this AD, contact 
Reims Aviation Industries, A[eacute]rodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 
Prunay, France; telephone + 33 3 26 48 46 65; fax + 33 3 26 49 18 
57; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
www.geciaviation.com/en/f406.html. 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 November 29, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-29395 Filed 12-4-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P