[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3994-3996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1480]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-76-AD; Amendment 39-9902; AD 97-02-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.
(CASA) Model CN-235 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all CASA Model CN-235 series airplanes, that requires
repetitive eddy current inspections to detect fatigue cracks in the
nose landing gear (NLG) turning tube, and replacement of cracked tubes.
This amendment is prompted by a report of the failure of an NLG turning
tube during landing roll; the failure was attributed to fatigue
cracking in the turning tube. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to ensure that fatigue cracking in the NLG turning tube is
detected and corrected before it could cause the failure of the tube
and, consequently, degrade the structural integrity of the NLG.
DATES: Effective March 4, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 4, 1997.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain.
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Dunn, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2799; fax (206) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all CASA Model CN-235 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 23, 1996 (61
FR 54958). That action proposed to require repetitive eddy current
inspections to detect fatigue cracking in the nose landing gear (NLG)
[[Page 3995]]
turning tube. If any cracking is detected, the turning tube would be
required to be replaced with a new unit prior to further flight.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Interim Action
This is considered interim action until final action is identified,
at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 1 CASA Model CN-235 series airplane of U.S.
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8
work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$480.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
97-02-17 CASA: Amendment 39-9902. Docket 96-NM-76-AD.
Applicability: All Model CN-235 series airplanes, certificated
in any category.
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 (d) 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, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent structural degradation of the nose landing gear (NLG)
due to failure of the NLG turning tube, accomplish the following:
(a) At the applicable time specified in either paragraph (a)(1)
or (a)(2) of this AD, conduct a high frequency eddy current (HFEC)
inspection to detect fatigue cracking in the NLG turning tube, in
accordance with the procedures specified in Annex 1 and Annex 2 of
CASA Maintenance Instructions COM 235-092, Revision 02, dated May 5,
1995.
(1) For Model CN-235 airplanes [Basic model; Maximum Takeoff
Weight (MTOW) = 31,746 lbs. (14,400 kgs.)]: Conduct the inspection
prior to or upon the accumulation of 6,000 landings on the NLG
turning tube, or within 50 landings after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) For Model CN-235-100 series airplanes [MTOW = 33,290 lbs.
(15,100 kgs.)] and Model CN-235-200 series airplanes [MTOW = 34,833
lbs. (15,800 kgs)]: Conduct the inspection prior to or upon the
accumulation of 4,800 landings on the NLG turning tube, or within 50
landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later.
(b) If no cracking is detected during the inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, repeat the inspection thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 200 landings.
(c) If any cracking is detected during any inspection required
by paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace
the NLG turning tube with a new unit in accordance with CASA
Maintenance Instructions COM 235-092, Revision 02, dated May 5,
1995. After replacement, repeat the HFEC inspection prior to or upon
the accumulation of 6,000 landings on the new NLG turning tube
installed on Model CN-325 airplanes (basic model); or prior to or
upon the accumulation of 4,800 landings on the new NLG turning tube
installed on Model CN-325-100 and -200 series airplanes. Thereafter,
repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 200 landings.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(e) 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.
(f) The inspections and relacement shall be done in accordance
with CASA Maintenance Instructions COM 235-092, Revision 02, dated
May 5, 1995, which contains the specified list of effective pages:
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Revision level
Page number shown on page Date shown on page
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1/2, 2/2........................ 02................ May 5, 1995.
Annex 1: 1-6.................... None.............. None.
Annex 2: 1-3.................... None.............. None.
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas,
S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 4, 1997.
[[Page 3996]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 15, 1997.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1480 Filed 1-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
