[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 100 (Thursday, May 25, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24045-24048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10403]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0048; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-035-AD; 
Amendment 39-18876; AD 2017-10-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Slingsby Aviation Ltd. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2015-11-01 for 
Slingsby Aviation Ltd. Models T67M260 and T67M260-T3A airplanes. This 
AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information

[[Page 24046]]

(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 failure of a brake master cylinder 
pivot pin, which could cause the rudder pedal mechanism to detach from 
the brake cylinder. We are issuing this AD to require actions to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 29, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 29, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0048; or in person at the Docket 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 Marshall 
Aerospace and Defence Group, The Airport, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, 
CB5 8RX, UK; telephone: +44 (0) 1223 399856; fax: +44 (0) 7825365617; 
email: [email protected]; Internet: www.marshalladg.com. You 
may view 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. 
It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for Docket No. FAA-2017-0048.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 
329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Slingsby Aviation Ltd. 
Models T67M260 and T67M260-T3A airplanes. That NPRM was published in 
the Federal Register on February 7, 2017 (82 FR 9537), and proposed to 
supersede AD 2015-11-01, Amendment 39-18164 (80 FR 30136, May 27, 2015) 
(``AD 2015-11-01'').
    Since we issued AD 2015-11-01, new service information was issued 
to revise the inspection instructions and to add a new initial 
inspection period after replacement of the brake master cylinder pivot 
pins.
    The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country. The MCAI states that:

    An occurrence was reported where pivot pin Part Number (P/N) 
T67M-45-539, of rudder pedal assembly #4, installed on the right 
hand (RH) side of the aeroplane (RH seat, RH pedal) failed during 
taxi. This caused the rudder pedal mechanism to detach from the 
brake master cylinder.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could cause the 
rudder linkages to rotate out of their normal orientation, possibly 
resulting in jammed rudder controls and consequent loss of control 
of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Slingsby Advanced 
Composites Ltd, trading as Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group 
(hereafter called ``Marshall'' in this [EASA] AD) issued Service 
Bulletin (SB) SBM 200 to provide inspection instructions.
    Consequently, EASA issued Emergency AD 2015-0065-E to require 
repetitive inspections of the brake cylinder pivot pins of rudder 
pedal assemblies #1 and #4 and, depending on findings, replacement 
of the affected pivot pin(s).
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Marshall published SBM 200 
Revision 2 to revise the inspection instructions and to introduce a 
new initial inspection period after replacement of brake master 
cylinder pivot pins on an aeroplane.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2015-065-E, which is superseded, but 
requires the use of the revised inspection instructions. This [EASA] 
AD also allows deferring the next due inspection after replacement 
of the pins.

    The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0048-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM 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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    Slingsby Aviation Ltd. trading as Marshall Aerospace and Defence 
Group has issued Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group Service Bulletin 
SBM 200, Revision 2, dated December 2015. The service bulletin 
describes procedures for inspection of the brake master cylinder pivot 
pin. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 3 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $50 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $1,680, or $560 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about .5 work-hour and require parts costing $100, for a cost of 
$142.50 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

[[Page 24047]]

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0048; 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, 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 removing Amendment 39-18164 (80 FR 
30136; May 27, 2015) and adding the following new AD:

2017-10-02 Slingsby Aviation Ltd.: Amendment 39-18876; Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0048; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-035-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 29, 
2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2015-11-01, Amendment 39-18164 (80 FR 
30136, May 27, 2015) (``AD 2015-11-01'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Slingsby Aviation Ltd. Models T67M260 and 
T67M260-T3A airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

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

(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 failure of a 
brake master cylinder pivot pin, which could cause the rudder pedal 
mechanism to detach from the brake cylinder. We are issuing this AD 
to detect and correct discrepancies of the brake master cylinder 
pivot pin, which could lead to detachment of the rudder pedal 
mechanism from the brake master cylinder with consequent loss of 
control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (3) of this AD:
    (1) Within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) after June 29, 2017 
(the effective date of this AD) or within 300 hours TIS after the 
last inspection required by AD 2015-11-01, whichever occurs first, 
and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS 
or 12 months, whichever occurs first, inspect the brake master 
cylinder pivot pins part number (P/N) T67M-45-539 installed on 
rudder pedal assemblies number 1 and number 4. Do this action 
following paragraph C. INSPECTION of the Accomplishment Instructions 
in Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group Service Bulletin SBM 200, 
Revision 2, dated December 2015 (``SBM 200, Revision 2'').
    (2) If any cracking or distortion of the brake master cylinder 
pivot pins is found or the pivot pin fails the dimensional check 
during any of the inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this 
AD, before further flight, replace the affected pivot pin with a 
serviceable part following paragraph C. INSPECTION of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in SBM 200, Revision 2.
    (3) Replacement of the brake master cylinder pivot pins as 
required by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD does not terminate the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. If 
both brake master cylinder pivot pins are replaced at the same time, 
the first repetitive inspection after replacement of the pivot pins 
can be deferred until 1,000 hours TIS after replacement of the pivot 
pins.

(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD provides credit for any inspections required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD if completed before June 29, 2017 (the 
effective date of this AD) following the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group Service Bulletin SBM 200, 
Revision 1, dated April 2015.

(h) 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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2016-0214, dated October 27, 2016, for 
related information. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the 
Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0048-0002.

(j) 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) Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group Service Bulletin SBM 
200, Revision 2, dated December 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, The Airport, Newmarket Road, 
Cambridge, CB5 8RX, UK; telephone: +44 (0) 1223 399856; fax: +44 (0) 
7825365617; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
www.marshalladg.com.
    (4) You may view this 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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0048.
    (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.


[[Page 24048]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 3, 2017.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10403 Filed 5-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P