[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63907-63909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25137]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0888; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-024-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl 
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 
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 cracks of the nose landing gear 
(NLG) lower link. 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 December 9, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go tohttp://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/it-IT/documenti/service-bulletins.aspx. 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-2013-0888; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-024-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 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 AD 
No.: 2013-0134, dated July 2, 2013 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    During an inspection of a P2006T, a nose landing gear (NLG) 
lower link was found with two cracks. The affected NLG lower link is 
part of NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-1417-000.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to NLG 
failure, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to 
the occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam (hereafter referred to as Tecnam) issued Service 
Bulletin (SB) SB-128-CS, providing inspection instructions. Tecnam 
also developed an improved NLG lower link assembly with P/N 26-8-
8000-000, which can be installed in service by accomplishment of 
Tecnam SB-104-CS.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires, for 
aeroplanes equipped with NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-1417-000, 
a one-time inspection of the NLG lower link and, depending on 
findings, accomplishment of the applicable corrective action. This 
AD also requires installation of the improved NLG lower link 
assembly P/N 26-8-8000-000.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it 
in Docket No. FAA-2013-0888.

Relevant Service Information

    Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl issued Service Bulletin No. SB 
104-CS, Edition 2, Revision 1, dated March 28, 2013 (now superseded); 
Service Bulletin No. SB 128-CS, Revision 0, dated May 15, 2013; Job 
Card 442, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2013; Job Card 468, dated 
October 12, 2012; and Job Card 528, Revision 1, dated April 2, 2013. 
The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

[[Page 63908]]

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. Required parts would cost 
about $0 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $297.50, or $42.50 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 6 work-hours and require parts costing $1,800, for a cost on 
U.S. operators of $16,170, or $2,310 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
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

    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

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:

Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl: Docket No. FAA-2013-0888; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-024-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 9, 2013.

(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 9999/US, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by 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 of the 
nose landing gear (NLG) lower link. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct cracks in an NLG lower link, which could lead to NLG 
failure, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to 
the occupants.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions as specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(5) of this AD:
    (1) For airplanes with an NLG lower link assembly part number 
(P/N) 26-8-1417-000 installed, 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, 
do a detailed inspection of the NLG lower link part (this is in the 
NLG -000 assembly) P/N 26-8-1417-1 following the INSPECTION/
REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS of Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service 
Bulletin No. SB 128-CS, Revision 0, dated May 15, 2013.
    (2) If a crack is detected during the inspection required by 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the NLG 
lower link assembly with an improved assembly. Follow, as 
applicable, sections 1 through 8 (including subparagraphs) of 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 442, Revision 1, dated 
February 11, 2013; sections 1 through 7 (including subparagraphs) of 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 468, dated October 12, 
2012; or sections 1 through 6 (including subparagraphs) of 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 528, Revision 1, dated 
April 2, 2013, as specified in the Required Material section of 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service Bulletin No. SB 128-CS, 
Revision 0, dated May 15, 2013; and as specified in the INSPECTION/
REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS of Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service 
Bulletin No. SB 128-CS, Revision 0, dated May 15, 2013.

     Note 1 to paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3): Although Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 442, Revision 1, dated February 11, 
2013, is designated P2006T NLG upper link replacement, it still 
pertains to the replacement of the lower link.

    (3) Unless already done as required by paragraph (f)(2) of this 
AD, within the next 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD 
or within the next 60 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, replace the NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-
8-1417-000 with an improved assembly. Follow, as applicable, 
sections 1 through 8 (including subparagraphs) of Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 442, Revision 1, dated February 11, 
2013; sections 1 through 7 (including subparagraphs) of Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 468, dated October 12, 2012; or 
sections 1 through 6 (including subparagraphs) of Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 528, Revision 1, dated April

[[Page 63909]]

2, 2013, as specified in the Required Material section of 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service Bulletin No. SB 128-CS, 
Revision 0, dated May 15, 2013; and as specified in the INSPECTION/
REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS of Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service 
Bulletin No. SB 128-CS, Revision 0, dated May 15, 2013.
    (4) After modification of an airplane as required by paragraph 
(f)(2) or (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable, do not install an NLG 
lower link assembly P/N 26-8-1417-000 or an NLG lower link part 
(this is in the NLG -000 assembly) P/N 26-8-1417-1 on that airplane.
    (5) For an airplane with an NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-
8000-000 already installed, after the effective date of this AD, do 
not install a NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-1417-000 or a NLG 
lower link P/N 26-8-1417-1 on that airplane.

(h) Credit for Actions Done Following Previous Service Information

    This AD provides credit for the initial inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and any necessary replacement required 
in paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3) of this AD if already done before 
the effective date of this AD following Costruzioni Aeronautiche 
Tecnam Service Bulletin No. SB 104-CS, Edition 2, Revision 1, dated 
March 28, 2013.

(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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2013-0134, dated July 2, 2013 for more information. You may examine 
the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0888. 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] or [email protected]; Internet: 
www.tecnam.com/it-IT/documenti/service-bulletins.aspx. 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 October 18, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-25137 Filed 10-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P