98-14213. Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA) Model CN-235 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 30112-30114]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-14213]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 97-NM-43-AD; Amendment 39-10548; AD 98-11-23]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. 
    (CASA) Model CN-235 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 CN-235 series airplanes, that requires 
    modification of certain fastener holes of the center wing. 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 fatigue cracking in this 
    area, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing.
    
    DATES: Effective July 8, 1998.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of July 8, 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
    
    [[Page 30113]]
    
    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 CN-235 series 
    airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 23, 1998 (63 
    FR 13801). That action proposed to require modification of certain 
    fastener holes of the center wing.
    
    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.
    
    Explanation of Changes Made to This Final Rule
    
        In the proposal, the FAA inadvertently omitted reference to Annex 
    1, dated June 10, 1993, of CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-57-05, Revision 
    2, dated June 21, 1996. Therefore, the FAA has revised the final rule 
    accordingly.
    
    Conclusion
    
        The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
    require the adoption of the rule with the change previously described. 
    The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the 
    economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD.
        The FAA estimates that the actions specified in CASA Service 
    Bulletin SB-235-57-14, will be required to be accomplished on one 
    airplane of U.S. registry. These required actions will take 
    approximately 220 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
    labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
    $719 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
    inspection required by this AD on the single U.S. operator is estimated 
    to be $13,919.
        For CASA Model CN-235 series airplane, serial number C-011, on 
    which the actions specified in CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-57-05 will 
    be required to be accomplished, those required actions will take 
    approximately 1,900 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an 
    average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
    approximately $11,330 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
    impact of the required actions for that airplane is estimated to be 
    $125,330.
        The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
    that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
    AD action, and 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:
    
    98-11-23 Construcciones Aeronauticas S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
    10548. Docket 97-NM-43-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model CN-235 series airplanes; as listed in CASA 
    Service Bulletins SB-235-57-14, Revision 1, dated June 21, 1996; and 
    SB-235-57-05, Revision 2, dated June 21, 1996, including Annex 1, 
    dated June 10, 1993; and Model CN-235 having serial number C-011; 
    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, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent fatigue cracking in the fastener holes of the center 
    wing, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
    wing, accomplish the following:
        (a) For airplanes listed in CASA Service Bulletins SB-235-57-14, 
    Revision 1, dated June 21, 1996; and SB-235-57-05, Revision 2, dated 
    June 21, 1996, including Annex 1, dated June 10, 1993: Perform a 
    rototest inspection of the fastener holes of the center wing to 
    detect cracking, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin, 
    at the time specified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
        (1) If no crack is found, prior to further flight, cold work the 
    fastener holes in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
        (2) If any crack is found, prior to further flight, remove it in 
    accordance with the service bulletin; repeat the rototest inspection 
    to detect cracking; and cold work the fastener holes, in accordance 
    with the applicable service bulletin. If any crack is found that 
    cannot be removed using the procedures specified in the applicable 
    service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair it in accordance 
    with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
    116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
        (b) For airplane serial number C-011: Perform a rototest 
    inspection of the fastener holes of the center wing to detect 
    cracking, in accordance with CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-57-05, 
    Revision 2, dated June 21, 1996, including Annex 1, dated June 10, 
    1993, at the time specified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
        (1) If no crack is found, prior to further flight, cold work the 
    fastener holes in accordance with the service bulletin.
        (2) If any crack is found, prior to further flight, remove it in 
    accordance with the service bulletin; repeat the rototest inspection 
    to detect cracking; and cold work the fastener holes, in accordance 
    with the service bulletin. If any crack is found that cannot be 
    removed using the procedures specified in the service bulletin, 
    prior to further flight, repair it in accordance with a method 
    approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.
        (c) Accomplish the inspection required by paragraph (a) or (b) 
    of this AD, as applicable,
    
    [[Page 30114]]
    
    at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) 
    of this AD.
        (1) Prior to the accumulation of 17,000 total flight cycles or 
    37,400 total flight hours, whichever occurs first.
        (2) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.
        (d) 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. 
    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.
        (e) 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.
        (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with CASA Service 
    Bulletin SB-235-57-14, Revision 1, dated June 21, 1996, and CASA 
    Service Bulletin SB-235-57-05, Revision 2, dated June 21, 1996, 
    including Annex 1, dated June 10, 1993, which contains the following 
    list of effective pages:
    
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                                        Revision                            
                                          level                             
                 Page Nos.              shown on      Date shown on page    
                                          page                              
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1, 3-5, 12, 26-29, 33, 34, 45-52..         2  June 21, 1996.            
    2, 6-11, 13-25, 30-32, 35-44, 53-          1  March 13, 1995.           
     65.                                                                    
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                                     Annex 1                                
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    1-46..............................         5  June 10, 1993.            
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        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 04/94, dated August 1994.
    
        (g) This amendment becomes effective on July 8, 1998.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 22, 1998.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-14213 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/8/1998
Published:
06/03/1998
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-14213
Dates:
Effective July 8, 1998.
Pages:
30112-30114 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 97-NM-43-AD, Amendment 39-10548, AD 98-11-23
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
98-14213.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13