[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7378-7380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3966]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-144-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.
(CASA) Model CN-235 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain CASA Model CN-235 series
airplanes. This proposal would require disabling the brake control
valve of the
[[Page 7379]]
propeller. This proposal also would require that, prior to restoring
propeller brake operation, the propeller brake control unit be replaced
with a certain new propeller brake control unit. This proposal is
prompted by reports of uncommanded activation of the propeller brake
system on in-service airplanes during flight, due to the existing
design of the brake control valve. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent in-flight uncommanded activation of
the propeller brake system, which could result in in-flight shutdown of
the engine.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 31, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-144-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
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:
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 shall 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 summarizing 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 Number 96-NM-144-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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 96-NM-144-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direccion General de Aviacion (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for Spain, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain CASA Model CN-235, CN-235-100,
and CN-235-200 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received
reports of uncommanded activation of the propeller brake system on CASA
Model CN-235 series airplanes during flight. Investigation revealed
that the existing design of the brake control valve of the propeller
can cause such a malfunction, including failure of the low pressure
warning system during ground operation. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in the in-flight shutdown of an engine.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
CASA has issued Communication COM 235-82, Revision 3, dated January
31, 1995, which describes procedures for disabling the brake control
valve of the propeller.
CASA also has issued Service Bulletin SB-235-61-01, dated October
11, 1994, and Service Bulletin SB-235-61-01M, Revision 2, dated January
25, 1996 (for military airplanes). These service bulletins describe
procedures for replacement of the propeller brake control unit, having
part number (P/N) HP1410100-5 or HP1410100-7, with a new propeller
brake control unit, having P/N HP1410100-9. This installation is to be
performed prior to restoring propeller brake operation.
The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued
Spanish airworthiness directive 01/94 R1, dated July 1995, in order to
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Spain.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Spain 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, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require, first, disabling
the brake control valve of the propeller. Then, prior to restoring
propeller brake operation, the proposed AD would require replacement of
certain propeller brake control units with certain new propeller brake
control units. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the service bulletins described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 2 CASA Model CN-235 series airplanes of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed disabling of the brake control valve, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
this proposed action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $360, or $180
per airplane.
It would take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost
to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this
proposed action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $960, or $480 per
airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects
[[Page 7380]]
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 proposed
regulation (1) is not a''significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 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.
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 the following new
airworthiness directive:
Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., CASA: Docket 96-NM-144-AD.
Applicability: All Model CN-235, CN-235-100, and CN-235-200
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
otherwise 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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent in-flight uncommanded activation of the propeller
brake system, which could result in in-flight shutdown of the
engine, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, disable
the brake control valve of the propeller in accordance with Annex 1
of CASA Communication COM 235-82, Revision 3, dated January 31,
1995.
(b) Prior to restoring propeller brake operation, replace the
propeller brake control unit having part number (P/N) HP1410100-5 or
HP1410100-7, with a new propeller brake control unit having P/N
HP1410100-9, in accordance with CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-61-01,
dated October 11, 1994; or CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-61-01M,
Revision 2 (for military airplanes), dated January 25, 1996; as
applicable. Accomplishment of this replacement constitutes
terminating action for the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
(c) 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,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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.
(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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 11, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-3966 Filed 2-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
