[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11820-11821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6021]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-277-AD; Amendment 39-10380; AD 98-06-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.
(CASA) Model C-212 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 certain CASA Model C-212 series airplanes, that requires
a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies of the spherical bearing
of the aileron control rod, and corrective action, if necessary; and
installation of an improved retainer washer in the movable joint of the
aileron control rod. This amendment is prompted by issuance of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended
to prevent loss of the movable joint of the aileron control rod, caused
by deterioration of the hinges, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective April 15, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 15, 1998.
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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 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 certain CASA Model C-212 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 31, 1997
(62 FR 68237). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection to
detect discrepancies of the spherical bearing of the aileron control
rod, and corrective action, if necessary; and installation of an
improved retainer washer in the movable joint of the aileron control
rod.
Comments
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.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 38 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $56
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $13,528, or $356 per airplane.
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
[[Page 11821]]
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:
98-06-02 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
10380. Docket 97-NM-277-AD.
Applicability: Model C-212 airplanes, as listed in CASA Service
Bulletin SB-212-27-48, dated February 28, 1996; 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 (b) 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 loss of the movable joint of the aileron control rod,
caused by deterioration of the hinges, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this
AD in accordance with CASA Service Bulletin SB-212-27-48, dated
February 28, 1996.
(1) Perform an inspection of the spherical bearings of the
aileron control rod to detect discrepancies. If any discrepancy is
found, prior to further flight, replace the whole terminal. And
(2) Install an improved retainer washer in the movable joint of
the aileron control rod.
(b) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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) The actions shall be done in accordance with CASA Service
Bulletin SB-212-27-48, dated February 28, 1996. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Spanish
airworthiness directive 05/96, dated May 13, 1996.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 15, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6021 Filed 3-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
