[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72137-72139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34383]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-83-AD; Amendment 39-10971; AD 99-01-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 airplanes. This AD
requires replacing the left and right rudder bars with improved design
rudder bars. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority
for France. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent
distortion of the original design rudder bars during operation, which
could result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective March 12, 1999.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before February 5, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-83-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from
Avions Pierre Robin, 1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-France;
telephone: 80 44 20 50; facsimile: 80 35 60 80. 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-83-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Karl M. Schletzbaum, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone:
[[Page 72138]]
(816) 426-6932; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160
airplanes. The DGAC reports a case of rudder bar distortion during
intensive aerobatic use.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced or loss
of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Avions Pierre Robin has issued Service Bulletin No. 143, dated
September 8, 1995, which specifies replacing the left and right rudder
bars, part number (P/N) 27.23.05.010 (left) and P/N 27.23.05.020
(right), with improved design rudder bars, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and
P/N 27.40.31.020 (right).
The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
French AD 95-217(A), dated November 8, 1995, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
The FAA's Determination
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC; reviewed all
available information, including the service information referenced
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of This AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 airplanes of
the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is
issuing an AD. This AD requires replacing the left and right rudder
bars, part number (P/N) 27.23.05.010 (left) and P/N 27.23.05.020
(right), with improved design rudder bars, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and
P/N 27.40.31.020 (right). Accomplishment of the actions of this AD
would be required in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
Cost Impact
None of the Avions Model R2160 airplanes affected by this action
are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability
of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action.
However, the FAA considers this rule necessary to ensure that the
unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject
airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register.
Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register, accomplishment of the required replacement would take
approximately 20 workhours per airplane at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Parts cost approximately $500 per airplane. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be $1,700 per
airplane that would become registered in the United States.
The Effective Date of This AD
Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 98-CE-83-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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 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.
[[Page 72139]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
99-01-04 Avions Pierre Robin: Amendment 39-10971; Docket No. 98-CE-
83-AD.
Applicability: Model R2160 airplanes, all serial numbers
beginning with 250; 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 within the next 50 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent distortion of the original design rudder bars during
operation, which could result in reduced or loss of control of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the left and right rudder bars, part number (P/N)
27.23.05.010 (left) and P/N 27.23.05.020 (right), with improved
design rudder bars, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and P/N 27.40.31.020
(right), or FAA-approved equivalent part numbers. Accomplish these
replacements in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual,
as specified in Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 143, dated
September 8, 1995.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any of the affected airplanes, rudder bars that are not of
improved design, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and P/N 27.40.31.020
(right), or FAA-approved equivalent part numbers.
(c) 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.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request
shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(e) Questions or technical information related to Avions Pierre
Robin Service Bulletin No. 143, dated September 8, 1995, should be
directed to Avions Pierre Robin, 1 route de Troyes 21121 Darois,
France; telephone: 03.80.44.20.50; facsimile: 03.80.35.60.80. This
service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 95-
217(A), dated November 8, 1995.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 12, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-34383 Filed 12-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
