2013-06590. Airworthiness Directives; REIMS AVIATION S.A. Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for REIMS AVIATION S.A. Model F406 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as fretting (wear and/or chafing) found between the elevator pushrod assembly and the horizontal tail structure, which could cause the elevator pushrod to jam and could result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective May 3, 2013.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 3, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

For service information identified in this AD, contact REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES, Aérodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 Prunay, France; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; Internet: http://www.geciaviation.com/​en/​. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2013 (78 FR 275). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

During maintenance, fretting has been found between the elevator pushrod assembly and horizontal tail structure on Reims F406 aeroplanes. In addition, bending was found on a pushrod assembly Part Number (P/N) 6015034-1. The investigation has not yet established the exact cause(s) of these occurrences.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of a pushrod and consequent jamming of the elevator controls, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires inspection of the pushrods and horizontal tail structure to detect fretting, bending or eccentricity and, depending on findings, replacement with a serviceable pushrod, or repair. This AD also requires the return on replaced pushrods to RAI for investigation.

This AD is considered to be an interim action and further AD action may follow.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 275, January 3, 2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 275, January 3, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 275, January 3, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 7 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $2,380, or $340 per product.

In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will take about 2.5 work-hours and require parts costing $1,900, for a cost of $2,112.50 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that may need these actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. “Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,” describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in “Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, section 44701: General requirements.” Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:

(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),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) 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.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov;​; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (78 FR 275, January 3, 2013), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone [phone]) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2013-06-04 REIMS AVIATION S.A.: Amendment 39-17401; Docket No. FAA-2012-1346; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-047-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 3, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to REIMS AVIATION S.A. Model F406 airplanes, serial numbers F406-0001 through F406-0096, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight Controls.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by reports of fretting (wear and/or chafing) found between the elevator pushrod assembly and the horizontal tail structure. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct any discrepancies with the elevator pushrod assembly and the horizontal tail structure, which could cause the elevator pushrod to fail. Failure of the elevator pushrod could cause the flight control to jam, which could result in loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

Unless already done, do the following actions:

(1) Within the next 4 months after May 3, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the elevator pushrod assemblies, part number (P/N) 6015034-1, and the horizontal tail structure following the Accomplishment Instructions in REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-70, dated July 16, 2012.

(2) Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, if fretting is found on the horizontal tail structure, or the clearance between the elevator pushrod assemblies and the horizontal tail structure is found to be insufficient, or looseness at riveted end fittings is found on the elevator pushrods, contact REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES at the address specified in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD for a repair scheme and incorporate the repair scheme.

(3) Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, if bending or eccentricity of an elevator pushrod is found that exceeds the allowable limits, replace each affected elevator pushrod with a serviceable part following REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-70, dated July 16, 2012.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail]. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2012-0164, dated August 28, 2012, for related information.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES Service Bulletin No. F406-70, dated July 16, 2012.

(ii) Reserved.

(3) For REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES service information identified in this AD, contact REIMS AVIATION INDUSTRIES, Aérodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 Prunay, France; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; Internet: http://www.geciaviation.com/​en/​.

(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call [phone].

(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 18, 2013.

Earl Lawrence,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.