[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11723-11725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04549]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0130; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-005-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Concept Limited 
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 
certain Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160 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

[[Page 11724]]

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the metal screen 
shield over the ignition switch may ground out the ignition terminals. 
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 April 17, 2014.

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 
Alpha Aviation, 59 Hautapu Road, RD 1, Cambridge 3493, New Zealand; 
telephone: +64 7 827 0528; fax: +64 7 929 2878; Internet: 
www.alphaaviation.co.nz. You may review this 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0130; 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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123 ; 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-2014-013; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-005-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 Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority 
for New Zealand, has issued AD DCA/R2000/42, dated January 29, 2014 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160 airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    The AD is prompted by an overseas DR300/180R aircraft accident 
which occurred during take-off. Investigation revealed a distorted 
metal screen shield which grounded the ignition switch terminals and 
resulted in loss of engine power.
    Robin aircraft manufactured prior to 1985 were fitted with 
ignition switches protected with a metal screen shield. With 
subsequent radio and electrical system improvements ignition switch 
shielding is no longer required, and most aircraft do not have metal 
screen shielded ignition switches.
    This AD requires a one-time inspection of the ignition switch to 
determine if a metal screen shield is installed, and depending on 
findings, to modify or replace the ignition switch with a 
serviceable part. The AD prohibits the installation of a metal 
screen shield ignition switch on any aircraft.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0130.

Relevant Service Information

    Alpha Aviation has issued Service Bulletin AA-SB-24-002, Revision 
0, dated January 2014. 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 10 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours 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 $2,550, or $255 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $100, for a cost of 
$355 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 proposed 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.

[[Page 11725]]

    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:

Alpha Aviation Concept Limited: Docket No. FAA-2014-0130; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-005-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 17, 2014.

(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 74: Ignition.

(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 the metal screen 
shield over the ignition switch may ground out the ignition 
terminals. We are issuing this AD to prevent the ignition switch 
metal screen from grounding out the ignition switch terminals, which 
could cause the engine to shut down.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through 
(f)(3) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service after the effective 
date of this AD or within the next 3 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the airplane ignition 
switch for the presence of a metal screen shield. Do the inspection 
following the Accomplishment Instructions in Alpha Aviation Service 
Bulletin AA-SB-24-002, Revision 0, dated January 2014.
    (2) If a metal screen is found during the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, modify or 
replace the ignition switch following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-24-002, 
Revision 0, dated January 2014.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an 
ignition switch with a metal screen shield.

(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) 329-4123; 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 Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD DCA/R2000/42, 
dated January 29, 2014, for related information. You may examine the 
MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0130. For service information 
related to this AD, contact Alpha Aviation, 59 Hautapu Road, RD 1, 
Cambridge 3493, New Zealand; telephone: +64 7 827 0528; fax: +64 7 
929 2878; Internet: www.alphaaviation.co.nz. You may review this 
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 February 21, 2014.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04549 Filed 2-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P