[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10116-10118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5035]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-79-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160
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 certain Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160
airplanes. The proposed AD would require replacing the wing attachment
bolts and associated hardware. The proposed AD is the result of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the
airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified in this
proposed AD are intended to prevent a wing from separating from the
airplane caused by damaged wing attachment bolts, which could result in
loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 26, 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-79-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 Avions Pierre Robin, 1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-France;
telephone: 33-3 80 44 20 50; facsimile: 33-3 80 35 60 80. This
information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Karl M. Schletzbaum, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; facsimile:
(816) 426-2169.
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. 98-CE-79-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 Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-79-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
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 that possible damage (distortion, fretting,
corrosion, damaged threads) could exist in the wing attachment bolts on
the above-referenced airplanes.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in a wing separating
from the airplane with consequent loss of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Avions Pierre Robin has issued the following:
[[Page 10117]]
--Service Bulletin No. 145, rev. 2, dated January 11, 1999, which
specifies inspecting the torque value of the wing attachment bolts; and
--NOTE NAV 96-3, dated May 2, 1996, which includes the procedures for
replacing the wing attachment bolts and all associated hardware.
The DGAC classified this service information bulletin as mandatory
and issued French AD 96-051(A) R1, dated June 5, 1996, 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 the Proposed 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
proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require replacing the wing
attachment bolts and associated hardware.
Accomplishment of the proposed replacement would be required in
accordance with Avions Pierre Robin NOTE NAV 96-3, dated May 2, 1996.
Differences Between Service Bulletin, French AD, and This Proposed
AD
Avions Robin Service Bulletin No. 145, rev. 2, dated January 11,
1999, and NAV 96-3, dated May 2, 1996, specify checking the torque
value of the wing attachment bolts at each 100-hour maintenance visit,
and French AD 96-051(A) R1, dated June 5, 1996, requires these checks
for those airplanes registered for operation in France.
These checks are part of the maintenance schedule and are
considered a general maintenance item. Because the FAA has no
justification to mandate AD action for general maintenance, the
proposed AD only incorporates the replacement of the wing attachment
bolts and associated hardware and does not include the torque value
checks.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 40
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacements, and
that the average labor rate is approximately $60 per work hour. Parts
cost approximately $200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$26,000, or $2,600 per airplane.
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:
Avions Pierre Robin: Docket No. 98-CE-79-AD.
Applicability: Model R2160 airplanes, serial numbers 001 through
264, 266 through 269, and 272 through 288; 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent a wing from separating from the airplane caused by
damaged wing attachment bolts, which could result in loss of control
of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD, replace the wing attachment bolts and
associated hardware, in accordance with Avions Pierre Robin NOTE NAV
96-3, dated May 2, 1996.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any affected airplane, wing attachment bolts and associated
hardware that are not specified in Avions Pierre Robin NOTE NAV 96-
3, dated May 2, 1996, unless the parts are an FAA-approved
equivalent to that referenced in the service information.
(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 times 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 the service
information referenced in this AD should be directed to Avions
Pierre Robin, 1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-France; telephone:
33-3 80 44 20 50; facsimile: 33-3 80 35 60 80. This service
[[Page 10118]]
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 96-
051(A) R1, dated June 5, 1996.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 22, 1999.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5035 Filed 3-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
