[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 166 (Thursday, August 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45692-45693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22815]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-158-AD; Amendment 39-10720; AD 98-18-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette)
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 all Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) series
airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect corrosion,
cracking, or rupture of the support arms of the aileron balance
weights; and repair, if necessary. Accomplishment of the repair
terminates the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD. 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 corrosion, cracking, or
rupture of the support arms of the aileron balance weights, which may
cause reduced flutter damping or jamming of the aileron, and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective October 1, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex
03, France. 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 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 all Aerospatiale Model SN-601
(Corvette) series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
July 7, 1998 (63 FR 36626). That action proposed to require repetitive
inspections to detect corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support
arms of the aileron balance weights; and repair, if necessary.
Accomplishment of the repair terminates the repetitive inspection
requirement of this AD.
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.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $240, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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:
98-18-04 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10720. Docket 98-NM-158-AD.
Applicability: All Model SN-601 (Corvette) series airplanes,
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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support arms
of the aileron balance weights, which may cause reduced flutter
damping or jamming of the aileron, and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
[[Page 45693]]
(a) Within 10 landings or 10 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a detailed visual
inspection to detect corrosion, cracking, or rupture of the support
arms of the aileron balance weights, in accordance with Aerospatiale
All Operators Telex (AOT) A/BTE/AM 499.368/95, dated March 7, 1995.
(1) If no corrosion, cracking, or rupture is detected on the
support arms, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 200 flight hours or 6 months, whichever occurs earlier.
(2) If any corrosion, cracking, or rupture is detected on the
support arms: Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, prior
to further flight, repair in accordance with the AOT. Accomplishment
of this repair constitutes terminating action for the repetitive
inspection requirements of this AD.
(b) If any corrosion, cracking, or rupture is detected on the
support arms, and Aerospatiale All Operators Telex (AOT) A/BTE/AM
499.368/95, dated March 7, 1995, specifies to contact Aerospatiale
for an appropriate repair: Prior to further flight, repair in
accordance with a method approved by either the Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate;
or the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated
agent).
(c) 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.
(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) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, the actions
shall be done in accordance with Aerospatiale All Operators Telex
(AOT) A/BTE/AM 499.368/95, dated March 7, 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 Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse,
Cedex 03, France. 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 French
airworthiness directive 95-054-019 (B), dated March 29, 1995.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on October 1, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 19, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-22815 Filed 8-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
