98-9139. Airworthiness Directives; AERMACCI S.p.A. S.205 Series and Models S.208 and S.208A Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 17669-17670]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-9139]
    
    
    
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    Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 69 / Friday, April 10, 1998 / Rules 
    and Regulations
    
    [[Page 17669]]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 97-CE-144-AD; Amendment 39-10455; AD 98-08-06]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; AERMACCI S.p.A. S.205 Series and Models 
    S.208 and S.208A Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
    applies to AERMACCI S.p.A. S.205 series and Models S.208 and S.208A 
    airplanes. This AD requires inspecting all flight control cables 
    (elevator control, aileron control, rudder, flaps, nose gear steering, 
    parking brake, safety belts, and autopilot systems) for cracks in the 
    eye end, and replacing any control cable with any crack in the eye end. 
    This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
    (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. The actions 
    specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of critical airplane 
    functions because of cracked flight control cables, which could result 
    in loss of control of the airplane if occurring during flight.
    
    DATES: Effective May 26, 1998.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of May 26, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
    from SIAI Marchetti S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via 
    Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-
    929117; facsimile: +39-331-922525. This information may also be 
    examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, 
    Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-144-
    AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
    the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
    suite 700, Washington, DC.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David O. Keenan, Project Officer, FAA, 
    Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201 
    Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
    6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
    
        A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
    CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to AERMACCI S.p.A. S.205 
    series and Models S.208 and S.208A airplanes was published in the 
    Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 
    2, 1998 (63 FR 5318). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting all 
    flight control cables (elevator control, aileron control, rudder, 
    flaps, nose gear steering, parking brake, safety belts, and autopilot 
    systems) for cracks in the eye end, and replacing any control cable 
    with any crack in the eye end. Accomplishment of the proposed action as 
    specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. 
    Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B58, not dated.
        The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
    information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy.
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
    proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    
    The FAA's Determination
    
        After careful review of all available information related to the 
    subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
    public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
    minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
    corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
    additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 70 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 workhours per 
    airplane to accomplish the actions required by this AD, and that the 
    average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
    approximately $100 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
    impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $91,000, or 
    $1,300 per airplane.
    
    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, 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:
    
    [[Page 17670]]
    
    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:
    
    98-08-06  Aermacci S.P.A.: Amendment 39-10455; Docket No. 97-CE-144-
    AD.
    
        Applicability: Models S.205-18/F, S.205-18/R, S.205-20/F, S.205-
    20/R, S.205-22/R, S.208, and S.208A airplanes, all serial numbers, 
    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 (e) 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 loss of critical airplane functions because of 
    cracked flight control cables, which could result in loss of control 
    of the airplane if occurring during flight, accomplish the 
    following:
        (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
    effective date of this AD, inspect all flight control cables 
    (elevator control, aileron control, rudder, flaps, nose gear 
    steering, parking brake, safety belts, and autopilot systems) for 
    cracks in the eye end. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with 
    SIAI Marchetti, S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B58.
        (b) If any cracked flight control cable is found, prior to 
    further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of 
    this AD, replace the cracked cable with a new cable of the same 
    design that is found to be free of cracks in the eye end. The 
    replacement(s) shall be accomplished in accordance with the 
    applicable maintenance manual.
        (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
    flight control cable on an affected airplane, unless the cable has 
    been found to be free of cracks in the eye end.
        (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.
        (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
    approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 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.
    
        (f) Questions or technical information related to SIAI 
    Marchetti, S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B58, should be 
    directed to SIAI Marchetti S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via 
    Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-
    929117; facsimile: +39-331-922525. 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.
        (g) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
    accordance with SIAI Marchetti, S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
    No. 205B58, dated December 31, 1995. 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 
    SIAI Marchetti S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via Indipendenza 
    2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy. Copies may be inspected at the 
    FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 
    E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the 
    Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, 
    Washington, DC.
        (h) This amendment becomes effective on May 26, 1998.
    
        Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 31, 1998.
    Michael Gallagher,
    Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-9139 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
5/26/1998
Published:
04/10/1998
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-9139
Dates:
Effective May 26, 1998.
Pages:
17669-17670 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 97-CE-144-AD, Amendment 39-10455, AD 98-08-06
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
98-9139.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13