[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 61 (Friday, March 29, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19088-19090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06590]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1346; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-047-AD; 
Amendment 39-17401; AD 2013-06-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; REIMS AVIATION S.A. 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 REIMS 
AVIATION S.A. Model F406 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 fretting (wear and/or chafing) found between the elevator 
pushrod assembly and the horizontal tail structure, which could cause 
the elevator pushrod to jam and could result in loss of control. We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 3, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 3, 2013.

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 REIMS 
AVIATION INDUSTRIES, A[eacute]rodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 Prunay, 
France; telephone: 03.26.48.46.65; fax: 03.26.49.18.57; Internet: 
http://www.geciaviation.com/en/. 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: 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: 

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 January 3, 2013 (78 
FR 275). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During maintenance, fretting has been found between the elevator 
pushrod assembly and horizontal tail structure on Reims F406 
aeroplanes. In addition, bending was found on a pushrod assembly 
Part Number (P/N) 6015034-1. The investigation has not yet 
established the exact cause(s) of these occurrences.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of a pushrod and consequent jamming of the elevator 
controls, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires inspection of 
the pushrods and horizontal tail structure to detect fretting, 
bending or eccentricity and, depending on findings, replacement with 
a serviceable pushrod, or repair. This AD also requires the return 
on replaced pushrods to RAI for investigation.
    This AD is considered to be an interim action and further AD 
action may follow.

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

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 275, January 3, 
2013) 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 (78 FR 275, January 3, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 275, January 3, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 7 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will 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.

[[Page 19089]]

    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $2,380, or $340 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 2.5 work-hours and require parts costing $1,900, for a cost 
of $2,112.50 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 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 (78 FR 275, January 3, 2013), 
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:

2013-06-04 REIMS AVIATION S.A.: Amendment 39-17401; Docket No. FAA-
2012-1346; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-047-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 3, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to REIMS AVIATION S.A. Model F406 airplanes, 
serial numbers F406-0001 through F406-0096, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of fretting (wear and/or 
chafing) found between the elevator pushrod assembly and the 
horizontal tail structure. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct any discrepancies with the elevator pushrod assembly and the 
horizontal tail structure, which could cause the elevator pushrod to 
fail. Failure of the elevator pushrod could cause the flight control 
to jam, which could result in loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 4 months after May 3, 2013 (the effective 
date of this AD), inspect the elevator pushrod assemblies, part 
number (P/N) 6015034-1, and the horizontal tail structure following 
the Accomplishment Instructions in REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service 
Bulletin No. F406-70, dated July 16, 2012.
    (2) Before further flight after the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, if fretting is found on the horizontal 
tail structure, or the clearance between the elevator pushrod 
assemblies and the horizontal tail structure is found to be 
insufficient, or looseness at riveted end fittings is found on the 
elevator pushrods, contact REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES at the address 
specified in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD for a repair scheme and 
incorporate the repair scheme.
    (3) Before further flight after the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, if bending or eccentricity of an 
elevator pushrod is found that exceeds the allowable limits, replace 
each affected elevator pushrod with a serviceable part following 
REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-70, dated July 
16, 2012.

(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.

[[Page 19090]]

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2012-0164, dated August 28, 2012, for related information.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-70, 
dated July 16, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES service information identified 
in this AD, contact REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES, A[eacute]rodrome de 
Reims Prunay, 51360 Prunay, France; telephone: 03.26.48.46.65; fax: 
03.26.49.18.57; Internet: http://www.geciaviation.com/en/.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 18, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-06590 Filed 3-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P