[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 198 (Friday, October 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53308-53310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25440]
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[[Page 53309]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-13-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to revise Airworthiness Directive (AD)
95-17-09, which requires relocating the left-hand (LH) and right-hand
(RH) essential bus current limiters (225 amp) to the battery bus (main
bus tie) on certain Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227 series
airplanes. The FAA has determined that the applicability of the current
AD should be changed to reflect a different serial number range and
model designation of certain SA227 series airplanes. The proposed
action would retain the essential bus current limiter relocations
required by AD 95-17-09, and would revise the Applicability section of
that AD. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent failure of the LH and RH essential bus when engine failure
results in a blown generator current limiter, which could result in
loss of airplane electrical power.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 11, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-13-AD, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
holidays excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from Field Support Engineering, Fairchild Aircraft, P.O. Box 790490,
San Antonio, Texas 78279-0490; telephone (210) 824-9421; facsimile
(210) 820-8609. This information also may be examined at the Rules
Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George R. Hash, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone (817) 222-5134; facsimile (817)
222-5959.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 95-CE-13-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-13-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
On August 10, 1995, the FAA issued AD 95-17-09, Amendment 39-9339
(60 FR 43361, August 21, 1995), to require relocating the left-hand
(LH) and right-hand (RH) essential bus current limiters (225 amp) to
the battery bus (main bus tie) on certain Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and
SA227 series airplanes. AD 95-17-09 specifies accomplishment of the
relocations in accordance with Fairchild Aircraft Engineering Kit
Drawing 27K82376, ``Current Limiter Rebusing Kit,'' as referenced in
Fairchild Service Bulletin (SB) 226-24-034, SB 227-24-015, and SB CC7-
24-002, all Issued: September 29, 1994.
A safety recommendation detailing potential electrical failure
problems on Fairchild SA226 and SA227 series airplanes prompted AD 95-
17-09. Flight simulation revealed that electrical power loss could
occur on the affected airplanes because of failure of the LH essential
bus. Switching delays between the left and right side electrical
systems result in left generator motor action, which could then cause
the left side current limiter to open. This would result in failure of
the left essential bus, which will result in loss of alternating
current (AC) power to the primary attitude indicator and the lighting
for the standby attitude indicator.
The FAA has determined that AD 95-17-09 contains the following
errors:
--Incorrect serial numbers for the Fairchild Aircraft Models SA227-AC,
SA227-AT, SA227-BC, and SA227-TT airplanes in the Applicability
section; and
--Incorrect designation for Model SA227-AC as SA227-AD in paragraph (a)
of AD 95-17-09.
After examining all available information related to the subject
discussed above, the FAA has determined that further AD action should
be taken to prevent failure of the LH and RH essential bus when engine
failure results in a blown generator current limiter, which could
result in loss of airplane electrical power.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227 series
airplanes of the same type design, this AD requires the same relocation
of the left-hand and right hand essential bus current limiters as is
contained in AD 95-17-09, and revises the Applicability section to
reflect the serial number correction and model designation correction
in paragraph (a) of that AD as previously described.
The FAA estimates that 876 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $98 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $296,088
($338 per airplane). This figure is based on the assumption that no
affected airplane owner/operator has incorporated the proposed
modification. Fairchild Aircraft has informed the FAA that parts have
not been distributed to any owner/operator of the affected airplanes.
The proposed action would only correct a model designation and
certain serial numbers of certain SA227 series airplanes that are
affected by AD 95-17-09. The cost impact upon the public specified in
the proposed AD is exactly the same as that currently required by AD
95-17-09.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship
[[Page 53310]]
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 proposal would 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) if promulgated,
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 draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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); 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-9339 (60 FR
43361, August 21, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Fairchild Aircraft: Docket No. 95-CE-13-AD. Revises AD 95-17-09;
Amendment 39-9339.
Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes
that utilize a direct current (DC) generator, certificated in any
category.
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Models Serial Nos.
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SA226-T, SA226-AT, SA226-TC, and SA226- All.
T(B).
SA227-AC, SA227-AT, SA227-BC, and SA227-TT 420 through 783, and 785
through 789.
SA227-CC and SA227-DC..................... 784, and 790 through 883.
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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 (c) 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 within the next 2,000 hours time-in-service
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished
(compliance with AD 95-17-09).
To prevent failure of the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH)
essential bus when engine failure results in a blown generator
current limiter, which could result in loss of airplane electrical
power, accomplish the following:
(a) Relocate the LH and RH essential bus current limiters (225
amp) to the battery bus (main bus tie) in accordance with Fairchild
Aircraft Engineering Kit Drawing 27K82376, ``Current Limiter
Rebusing Kit,'' as referenced in the following service bulletins
(SB):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB Date Models affected
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226-24-034.................. Sept. 29, 1994........... All affected
SA226 models.
227-24-015.................. Sept. 29, 1994........... SA227-AC, SA227-
AT, SA227-BC,
and SA227-TT.
CC7-24-002.................. Sept. 29, 1994........... SA227-CC and
SA227-DC.
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(b) 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.
(c) 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.
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.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.
(d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the document referred to herein upon request to Fairchild Aircraft,
P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-0490; or may examine this
document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(e) This amendment revises AD 95-17-09, Amendment 39-9339.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 6, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25440 Filed 10-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
