E7-15586. Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) Airplanes

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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:

Cracks have been evidenced on the nose landing gear LH (left-hand) and RH (right-hand) hinge fittings due to stress corrosion on in-service aircraft. If undetected, they could lead to complete rupture of one or two of the fittings.

The unsafe condition is collapse of the nose landing gear. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective September 18, 2007.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 18, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

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 May 24, 2007 (72 FR 29086). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Cracks have been evidenced on the nose landing gear LH (left-hand) and RH (right-hand) hinge fittings due to stress corrosion on in-service aircraft. If undetected, they could lead to complete rupture of one or two of the fittings.

The unsafe condition is collapse of the nose landing gear. The MCAI requires repetitive inspections of the nose landing gear LH and RH hinge fittings for cracking, and replacing the hinge fitting with a new fitting if any cracking is found. 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 or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.

We might also have required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 3 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 7 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $1,680, or $560 per product.

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); 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov;​; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations 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:

2007-16-15 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-15154. Docket No. FAA-2007-28259; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-024-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 18, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) airplanes, all serial numbers; certificated in any category.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing gear.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

Cracks have been evidenced on the nose landing gear LH (left-hand) and RH (right-hand) hinge fittings due to stress corrosion on in-service aircraft. If undetected, they could lead to complete rupture of one or two of the fittings.

The unsafe condition is collapse of the nose landing gear. The MCAI requires repetitive inspections of the nose landing gear LH and RH hinge fittings for cracking, and replacing the hinge fitting with a new fitting if any cracking is found.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) Within 200 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Inspect the nose landing gear LH (left-hand) and RH (right-hand) hinge fittings for cracking, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SN-601 Corvette Service Bulletin 32-17, dated September 23, 2004.

(2) In case of finding one or several cracks, before further flight, replace the hinge fitting with a new hinge fitting in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SN-601 Corvette Service Bulletin 32-17, dated September 23, 2004. Repeat the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,600 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first.

(3) If no crack is detected, repeat the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,600 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first.

FAA AD Differences

Note:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: Although the MCAI or service information allows further flight after cracks are found during compliance with the required action, paragraph (f)(2) of this AD requires that you repair the cracks before further flight.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]. 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, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

(h) Refer to MCAI French Airworthiness Directive F-2004-169, dated October 27, 2004; and Airbus SN-601 Corvette Service Bulletin 32-17, dated September 23, 2004; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Airbus SN-601 Corvette Service Bulletin 32-17, dated September 23, 2004, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

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

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France.

(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call [phone], or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 2, 2007.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.