[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1540-1542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-537]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-84-AD; Amendment 39-11507; AD 98-19-15 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft, Inc. SA226 and
SA227 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment revises Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-19-15,
which currently requires incorporating information into the Limitations
Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) that imposes a speed
restriction and a minimum pilot requirement for Fairchild Aircraft,
Inc. (Fairchild) SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with Barber-
Colman pitch trim actuators, part number (P/N) 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N
27-19008-002/-005. Since AD 98-19-15 became effective, improved design
pitch trim actuators have been developed that, when installed, will
eliminate the speed restriction and minimum pilot requirements of the
current AD. This AD requires incorporating these installations as a
method of complying with the current AD. The actions specified by this
AD are intended to lessen the possibility of airplane pitch up caused
by mechanical failure of the pitch trim actuator, which could result in
a pitch upset and structural failure of the airplane.
DATE: Effective March 3, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Fairchild Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas
78279-0490; telephone: (800) 577-7273; facsimile: (210) 824-3869. This
information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-CE-84-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri
64106.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Werner G. Koch, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Aircraft Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5133; facsimile:
(817) 222-5960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance
of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Fairchild SA226 and
SA227 series airplanes equipped with Barber-Colman pitch trim
actuators, part number (P/N) 27-19008-001/-
004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005 was published in the Federal Register as a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 23, 1999 (64 FR
51479). The NPRM proposed to revise AD 98-19-15. AD 98-19-15 Amendment
39-10794 (63 FR 50983, September 24, 1998), currently requires
incorporating the following information into the applicable AFM on
Fairchild SA226 and SA227 airplanes that are equipped with Barber-
Colman pitch trim actuators, P/N 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/
-005:
``Limit the maximum indicated airspeed to maneuvering
airspeed (Va) as shown in the appropriate airplane flight manual
(AFM).'' and
``The minimum crew required is two pilots.''
The following service information describes the AFM requirements:
--Fairchild Service Letter 226-SL-017, FAA Approved: August 26, 1998;
Revised: September 2, 1998;
--Fairchild Service Letter 227-SL-033, FAA Approved: August 26, 1998;
Revised: September 2, 1998; and
--Fairchild Service Letter CC7-SL-023, FAA Approved: August 26, 1998;
Revised: September 2, 1998.
The NPRM proposed to retain the requirements of the existing AD,
and would provide the option of incorporating one of the design
alternatives developed since the issuance of AD 98-19-15. These design
alternatives are:
--Barber-Colman P/N 27-19008-006 or P/N 27-19008-007 pitch trim
actuators. Procedures to install these pitch trim actuators are
contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin 226-27-064 , Fairchild Service
Bulletin 227-27-046, and Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-015. All
airplane models are eligible for this installation and airplane models
vary by service bulletin;
--Simmonds-Precision P/N DL5040M5 or P/N DL5040M6 pitch trim actuators.
All airplane models are eligible for this installation. Procedures and
limitations to install these pitch trim actuators for the Models SA227-
CC and SA227-DC airplanes are contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin
CC7-27-014, and are contained in engineering data for all other models
(contact Fairchild); and
--Simmonds-Precision P/N DL5040M8 pitch trim actuators. Procedures and
limitations to install these pitch trim actuators are contained in
Fairchild Service Bulletin 227-27-045, Fairchild Service Bulletin 226-
27-063, and Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-013. All airplane models
are eligible for this installation and airplane models vary by service
bulletin.
These pitch trim actuators, when installed, would eliminate the
need for the requirements of AD 98-19-15.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. One comment was received in favor of
the NPRM and no comments were received on the FAA's determination of
the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden
[[Page 1541]]
upon the public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 508 airplanes in the U.S. registry could
have the affected pitch trim actuators installed and, therefore, could
be affected by the AFM requirements of this AD. Since an owner/operator
who holds at least a private pilot's certificate as authorized by
sections 43.7 and 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7
and 43.9) may accomplish the AFM insertions, the only cost impact upon
the public will be the approximately 30 minutes it will take each
owner/operator to incorporate the information into the AFM.
The FAA has no way of determining the number of airplanes that have
the design alternative pitch trim actuators installed, and will
therefore not be affected by this AD.
Regulatory Impact
These regulations 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. Therefore, the FAA has determined that
this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive
Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 98-19-15, Amendment 39-10794, and adding a new AD to read as
follows:
98-19-15 R1 Fairchild Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-11507; Docket
No. 98-CE-84-AD, Revises AD 98-19-15, Amendment 39-10794.
Applicability: Models SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-AT, SA226-TC,
SA227-TT, SA227-AT, SA227-AC, SA227-BC, SA227-CC, and SA227-DC
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category;
that are equipped with Barber-Colman pitch trim actuators, part
number (P/N) 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished or made unnecessary by replacement of the P/N
27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005 Barber-Colman pitch trim
actuator with a Simmonds-Precision actuator, P/N DL5040M5, P/N
DL5040M6, or P/N DL5040M8; or a Barber-Colman actuator, P/N 27-
19008-006 or P/N 27-19008-007.
To lessen the possibility of airplane pitch up caused by
mechanical failure of the pitch trim actuator, which could result in
a pitch upset and structural failure of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
To lessen the possibility of airplane pitch up caused by
mechanical failure of the pitch trim actuator, which could result in
a pitch upset and structural failure of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
(a) Prior to further flight after September 25, 1998 (the
effective date of AD 98-19-15), revise the FAA-approved Airplane
Flight Manual (AFM) by incorporating the following into the
Limitations Section of the AFM. This may be accomplished by
inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM:
``Limit the maximum indicated airspeed to maneuvering
airspeed (Va) as shown in the appropriate airplane flight manual
(AFM).''
and
``The minimum crew required is two pilots.''
Note 2: Fairchild Service Letter 226-SL-017, Fairchild Service
Letter 227-SL-033, and Fairchild Service Letter CC7-SL-023, all FAA
Approved: August 26, 1998; Revised: September 2, 1998; address the
subject matter of this AD.
Note 3: The prior to further flight compliance time of paragraph
(a) of this AD is being retained from AD 98-19-15. The only
substantive difference between this AD and AD 98-19-15 is the
addition of the alternative method of compliance referenced in
paragraph (c) of this AD.
(b) Incorporating the AFM revision, as specified in paragraph
(a) of this AD, may be performed by the owner/operator holding at
least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered
into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in
accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 43.9).
Note 4: This AD does not affect AD 97-23-01, Amendment 39-10188
(62 FR 5922, November 3, 1997). AD 97-23-01 still applies to all
SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with either Barber-Colman
or Simmonds-Precision pitch trim actuators. AD 97-23-01 will be
superseded to cover the improved design pitch trim actuators
referenced in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD. AD
97-23-01 requires the following:
--repetitively measuring the freeplay of the pitch trim actuator and
repetitively inspecting the actuator for rod slippage or ratcheting;
--immediately replacing any actuator if certain freeplay limitations
are exceeded or rod slippage or ratcheting is evident; and
--eventually replacing the Simmonds-Precision actuators regardless
of the inspection results.
(c) As an alternative method of compliance to the requirements
of this AD, replace each of the P/N 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-
19008-002/-005 Barber-Colman pitch trim actuators with one of the
following, or FAA-approved equivalent part number:
(1) Barber-Colman P/N 27-19008-006 or P/N 27-19008-007 pitch
trim actuators. Procedures to install these pitch trim actuators are
contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin 226-27-064 , Fairchild
Service Bulletin 227-27-046, and Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-
015. All airplane models are eligible for this installation and
airplane models vary by service bulletin;
(2) Simmonds-Precision P/N DL5040M5 or P/N DL5040M6 pitch trim
actuators. All airplane models are eligible for this installation.
Procedures and limitations to install these pitch trim actuators for
the Models SA227-CC and SA227-DC airplanes are contained in
Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-014, and are contained in
engineering data for all other models (contact Fairchild); or
(3) Simmonds-Precision P/N DL5040M8 pitch trim actuators.
Procedures and limitations to install these pitch trim actuators are
contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin 227-27-045, Fairchild
Service Bulletin 226-27-063, and Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-
013. All airplane models
[[Page 1542]]
are eligible for this installation and airplane models vary by
service bulletin.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office
(ACO), FAA, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150.
(1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Fort Worth ACO.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance
with AD 98-19-15 are considered approved as alternative methods of
compliance for this AD.
Note 5: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.
(f) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the documents referred to herein upon request to Fairchild Aircraft,
P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-0490; or may examine these
documents at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 3, 2000.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 4, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-537 Filed 1-10-00; 8:45 am]
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