[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 214 (Monday, November 4, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56642-56644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28165]
[[Page 56642]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-34-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
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 adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227 series
airplanes. The proposed action would require modifying the electrical
power generation system. Three reports of both generators going off-
line on the affected airplanes while in-flight prompted this action.
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent
failure of both generators during critical phases of flight (such as
night operation or while in icing conditions), which could result in
loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 3, 1997.
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-34-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: Ms. Ingrid D. Knox, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone (817) 222-5190; facsimile (817)
222-5960.
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-34-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-34-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The FAA has received three reports of both generators going off-
line during flight operations on Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227
series airplanes. In one instance, both generators went off-line when
the airplane was cruising at 21,500 feet. The pilot immediately began
resetting the generators without initial success. After the airplane
had descended to an altitude of 13,000 feet, the pilot was able to
bring the generators back on-line. In all three incidents, the
generator control unit required replacement.
Applicable Service Information
Fairchild Aircraft has issued several service bulletins to address
these electrical power generation system problems. The following
presents and briefly describes the technical modification intent of
each service bulletin (SB):
--SB 226-24-027, Issued: May 19, 1988, Revised: February 22, 1989:
Specifies procedures for replacing the existing generator fault
transformer wiring with dual conductor shielded wiring on Fairchild
SA226 series airplanes.
--SB 227-24-008, Issued: March 18, 1988, Revised: February 22, 1989:
Specifies the same procedures as SB 226-24-027, but provides these
procedures for Fairchild Aircraft SA227 series airplanes.
--SB 226-24-023, Issued: October 25, 1985, Revised: January 23, 1989:
Specifies procedures for rewiring the direct current (DC) generation
system to reduce the possibility of 325-amp current limiter failure on
Fairchild Aircraft SA226 series airplanes.
--SB 227-24-005, Issued: October 25, 1985, Revised: January 23, 1989:
Specifies the same procedures as SB 226-24-023, but provides these
procedures for Fairchild Aircraft SA227 series airplanes.
--SB 226-24-026, Issued: May 27, 1987: Specifies procedures for
modifying the voltage regulator access panel and installing a connector
in the wire bundle on Fairchild Aircraft SA226 series airplanes.
--SB 24-018, Issued: October 22, 1980, Revised: January 7, 1981:
Specifies procedures for installing new voltage regulators, rerouting
certain wires, and replacing the entire voltage regulator panel
assembly on Fairchild Aircraft SA226 series airplanes.
--SB 226-24-031, dated July 27, 1989: Specifies procedures for
modifying the DC generator control system so that it will operate off
its respective generator output on Fairchild Aircraft SA226 series
airplanes. This includes removing field current and reset resistors,
removing the reset and generator relays and associated diodes,
installing a 10-amp generator control circuit breaker to the left-hand
and right-hand essential bus panels, and replacing the 10-amp generator
control circuit breakers in the left-hand and right-hand wheelwells
with 15-amp circuit breakers that are wired in series with the
generator control circuit breakers.
--SB 227-24-012, Issued: May 4, 1989, Revised: July 27, 1989: Specifies
the same procedures as SB 226-24-031, but provides these procedures for
Fairchild Aircraft SA227 series airplanes.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, including the
referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD action
should be taken to prevent failure of both generators during critical
phases of flight (such as night operation or while in icing
conditions), which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
[[Page 56643]]
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
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, the proposed AD would require
modifying the electrical power generation system. Accomplishment of the
proposed modifications would be in accordance with the service
bulletins previously referenced.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 34 SA226 series airplanes and 206 SA227
series airplanes in the U.S. registry would be affected by the proposed
modifications, that it would take approximately 80 workhours per SA226
series airplane and 50 workhours per SA227 series airplane to
accomplish the proposed modifications, and that the average labor rate
is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $12,400 for
SA226 series airplanes and $6,000 for SA227 series airplanes. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $584,800 for SA226 series airplane
operators (or $17,200 per airplane) and $1,854,000 for SA227 series
airplane operators (or $9,000 per airplane). This figure is based on
the assumption that no owner/operator of the affected airplanes has
accomplished the proposed modifications. Fairchild Aircraft has
informed the FAA that no parts have been distributed to any affected
airplane owner/operator.
The proposed AD allows 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
proposed AD would become effective before mandatory accomplishment of
the design modifications. The average utilization of the fleet for
those airplanes in commercial commuter service is approximately 25 to
50 hours TIS per week. Based on these figures, operators of commuter-
class airplanes involved in commercial operation would have to
accomplish the proposed modification within 24 to 48 calendar months
after the proposed AD would become effective. For private owners, who
typically operate between 100 to 200 hours TIS per year, this would
allow 24 to 48 years before the proposed modification would be
mandatory.
Regulatory Flexibility Determination and Analysis
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) was enacted by
Congress to ensure that small entities are not unnecessarily or
disproportionally burdened by government regulations. The RFA requires
government agencies to determine whether rules would have a
``significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities,'' and, in cases where they would, conduct a Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis in which alternatives to the rule are considered.
FAA Order 2100.14A, Regulatory Flexibility Criteria and Guidance,
outlines FAA procedures and criteria for complying with the RFA. Small
entities are defined as small businesses and small not-for-profit
organizations that are independently owned and operated or airports
operated by small governmental jurisdictions. A ``substantial number''
is defined as a number that is not less than 11 and that is more than
one-third of the small entities subject to a proposed rule, or any
number of small entities judged to be substantial by the rulemaking
official. A ``significant economic impact'' is defined by an annualized
net compliance cost, adjusted for inflation, which is greater than a
threshold cost level for defined entity types. FAA Order 2100.14A sets
the size threshold for small entities operating aircraft for hire at 9
aircraft owned and the annualized cost thresholds at $69,000 for
scheduled operators and $5,000 for unscheduled operators.
The FAA has determined that, for four entities (two nonscheduled
air carriers and two scheduled air carriers), the compliance costs of
the proposed AD would impose a significant economic impact. Because at
least 11 small entities are not affected, the proposed AD would not
affect a ``substantial number of small entities'' as defined in Order
2100.14A.
A copy of the full Cost Analysis and Regulatory Flexibility
Determination for the proposed action may be examined at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 95-CE-34-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
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), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Fairchild Aircraft: Docket No. 95-CE-34-AD.
Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes,
certificated in any category:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SA226-T............................... T201 through T275 and T277
through T291.
SA226-T(B)............................ T(B)276 and T(B)292 through
T(B)417.
SA226-AT.............................. AT001 through AT074.
SA226-TC.............................. TC201 through TC419.
SA227-TT.............................. TT421 through TT541.
SA227-AT.............................. AT423 through AT631.
SA227-AC.............................. AC406, AC415, AC416, AC420
through AC705, and AC707
through AC733.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 (g) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or
[[Page 56644]]
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.
To prevent failure of both generators during critical phases of
flight (such as night operation or while in icing conditions), which
could result in loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
(a) For the model and serial number airplanes presented below,
replace the existing generator fault transformer wiring with new
dual conductor shielded wire in accordance with Fairchild Service
Bulletin (SB) 226-24-027, Issued: May 19, 1988, Revised: February
22, 1989, or Fairchild SB 227-24-008, Issued: October 25, 1985,
Revised: January 23, 1989, as applicable.
(1) Model SA226-T airplanes, serial numbers T201 through T275
and T277 through T291; Model SA226-T(B) airplanes, serial numbers
T(B)276 and T(B)292 through T(B)417; Model SA226-AT airplanes,
serial numbers AT001 through AT074; and Model SA226-TC airplanes,
serial numbers TC201 through TC419.
(2) Model SA227-TT airplanes, serial numbers TT421 through
TT541; Model SA227-AT airplanes, serial numbers AT423 through AT631;
and Model SA227-AC airplanes, serial numbers AC406, AC415, AC416,
and AC420 through AC683.
(b) For the model and serial number airplanes presented below,
rewire the electrical power generation system to reduce the
possibility of 325-amp current limiter failure in accordance with
Fairchild SB 226-24-023, Issued: October 25, 1985, Revised: January
23, 1989, or Fairchild SB 227-24-005, Issued: October 25, 1985,
Revised: January 23, 1989, as applicable.
(1) Model SA226-T airplanes, serial numbers T249 through T275
and T277 through T291; Model SA226-T(B) airplanes, serial numbers
T(B)276 and T(B)292 through T(B)417; Model SA226-AT airplanes,
serial numbers AT025 through AT074; and Model SA226-TC airplanes,
serial numbers TC209 through TC419.
(2) Model SA227-TT airplanes, serial numbers TT421 through
TT541; Models SA227-AT airplanes, serial numbers AT423 through
AT591; and SA227-AC airplanes, serial numbers AC420 through AC594.
(c) For Model SA226-T airplanes, serial numbers T249 through
T275 and T277 through T291; Model SA226-T(B) airplanes, serial
numbers T(B)276 and T(B)292 through T(B)417; Model SA226-AT
airplanes, serial numbers AT025 through AT074; and Model SA226-TC
airplanes, serial numbers TC209 through TC419, modify the voltage
regulator access panel and install a connector in the wire bundle in
accordance with Fairchild SB 226-24-026, Issued: May 27, 1987.
(d) For Model SA226-T airplanes, serial numbers T201 through
T275 and T277 through T291; Model SA226-T(B) airplanes, serial
numbers T(B)276 and T(B)292 through T(B)347; Model SA226-AT
airplanes, serial numbers AT001 through AT074; and Model SA226-TC
airplanes, serial numbers TC201 through TC348, install new voltage
regulators, reroute certain wires, and replace the entire voltage
regulator panel assembly in accordance with Fairchild SB 24-018,
Issued: October 22, 1980, Revised: January 7, 1981.
(e) For the model and serial number airplanes presented below,
modify the direct current (DC) generator control system so that it
will operate off its respective generator output in accordance with
Fairchild SB 226-24-031, dated July 27, 1989, or Fairchild SB 227-
24-012, Issued: May 4, 1989; Revised: July 27, 1989, as applicable.
This includes removing field current and reset resistors, removing
the reset and generator relays and associated diodes, installing a
10-amp generator control circuit breaker to the left- hand and
right-hand essential bus panels, and replacing the 10-amp generator
control circuit breakers in the left-hand and right-hand wheelwells
with 15-amp circuit breakers that are wired in series with the
generator control circuit breakers.
(1) Model SA226-T airplanes, serial numbers T249 through T275
and T277 through T291; Model SA226-T(B) airplanes, serial numbers
T(B)276 and T(B)292 through T(B)417; Model SA226-AT airplanes,
serial numbers AT025 through AT074; and Model SA226-TC airplanes,
serial numbers TC209 through TC419.
(2) Model SA227-TT airplanes, serial numbers TT421 through
TT541; Model SA227-AT airplanes, serial numbers AT423 through AT695;
and Model SA227-AC airplanes, serial numbers AC406, AC415, AC416,
AC420 through AC556, AC558 through AC705, and AC707 through AC733.
(f) 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.
(g) 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.
(h) 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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 28, 1996.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-28165 Filed 11-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
