[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34555-34556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16021]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-143-AD; Amendment 39-10597; AD 98-13-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; AERMACCHI S.p.A. Models F.260, F.260B,
F.260C, and F.260D 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 certain AERMACCHI S.p.A. (AERMACCHI) Models F.260, F.260B,
F.260C, and F.260D airplanes. This AD requires marking the airspeed
indicator to indicate the correct flap operation range and stall speed
of the airplane. 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 the
airplane from stalling at an airspeed higher than anticipated, which
could result in loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective August 1, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from AERMACCHI, Product Support, 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-143-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: Mr. 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 certain AERMACCHI
Models F.260, F.260B, F.260C, and F.260D airplanes was published in the
Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 13,
1998 (63 FR 17969). The NPRM proposed to require marking the airspeed
indicator with a black arc to indicate the correct stall speed and flap
operation range of the airplane. Accomplishment of the proposed action
as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with SIAI Marchetti
S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated May 28, 1993.
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.
[[Page 34556]]
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 60 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Materials for marking the airspeed indicator
can be obtained locally at minimal cost. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$3,600, or $60 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:
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:
98-13-09 AERMACCHI S.P.A.: Amendment 39-10597; Docket No. 97-CE-
143-AD.
Applicability: Models F.260, F.260B, F.260C, and F.260D
airplanes, serial numbers 001 through 848, 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 (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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent the airplane from stalling at an airspeed higher than
anticipated, which could result in loss of control of the airplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Mark the airspeed indicator with a black arc between the
numbers 0 and 63.5 in accordance with the Instructions section of
SIAI Marchetti S.p.A Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated May 28,
1993. All other operating ranges on the airspeed indicator are
correct.
Note 2: Although the SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. service bulletin
referenced above calls out all of the operating ranges indicated on
the airspeed indicator, it is the FAA's intent in this AD to focus
only on the flap operating range.
(b) 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.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to SIAI Marchetti
Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated May 28, 1993, should be directed
to AERMACCHI, Product Support, 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 64106.
(e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with SIAI Marchetti Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated
May 28, 1993. 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 AERMACCHI, Product
Support, 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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 93-
220, dated July 29, 1993.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 9, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16021 Filed 6-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
