[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47442-47446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22528]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-300-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Model YS-11 and YS-11A
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Mitsubishi Model YS-11 and YS-
11A series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive removal of
the spinner; repetitive detailed visual inspections of the propeller
hub to detect fatigue cracking; and replacement of a propeller hub with
a new propeller hub, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the propeller
hub, which could cause the loss of the propeller.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 30, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
[[Page 47443]]
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-300-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Nihon Aeroplane Manufacturing, Toranomon Daiichi,
Kotohire-Cho, Shiba, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. This information may be
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Mowery, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5322; fax (562)
627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-NM-300-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-300-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), which is the airworthiness
authority for Japan, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on all Mitsubishi YS-11 and YS-11A series airplanes. The JCAB
advises that cracking has been found on propeller hubs. This cracking
has been attributed to material fatigue. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in the loss of the propeller.
The JCAB has issued Japanese airworthiness directive TCD-4667-97,
dated October 13, 1997, which describes procedures for repetitive
removal of the spinner; repetitive detailed visual inspections to
detect fatigue cracking of the propeller hub; and replacement of
cracked propeller hubs with new propeller hubs, if necessary. The JCAB
classified these actions as mandatory in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in Japan.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in Japan and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the JCAB has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the JCAB, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the Japanese airworthiness directive described
previously.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Foreign Airworthiness
Directive
The proposed AD would differ from the parallel Japanese
airworthiness directive in that it would require accomplishment of the
inspection within 25 flight hours or 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first. The parallel Japanese airworthiness
directive requires accomplishment of the inspection prior to further
flight, unless an inspection was performed within 25 flight hours
before the effective date of the Japanese airworthiness directive. In
developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD, the FAA
considered not only the safety implications, but the Japanese
airworthiness authority's requirements, the availability of required
parts, and the practical aspect of accomplishing the inspection within
an interval of time that parallels normal scheduled maintenance for
affected operators. The FAA also considered the fact that the Japanese
airworthiness directive (containing the procedures for accomplishing
the required actions) has been available to all operators of Mitsubishi
Model YS-11 and YS-11A series airplanes since October 1997. Therefore,
U.S. operators have had ample time since then to consider initiating
those actions, which this proposed AD ultimately mandates.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 25 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 32 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$48,000, or $1,920 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
[[Page 47444]]
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 draft
regulatory 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Mitsubish Heavy Industries, Ltd.: Docket 98-NM-300-AD.
Applicability: All Model YS-11 and YS-11A 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 (b) 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 detect and correct fatigue cracking of the propeller hub,
which could cause the loss of the propeller, accomplish the
following:
Inspection and Replacement
(a) Within 25 flight hours or 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the spinner and perform a
detailed visual inspection for cracking of the propeller hub in the
crack area shown in Figure 1 of this AD.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''
(1) If no crack is found, repeat the actions required by
paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25
flight hours.
(2) If any crack is detected, prior to further flight, replace
the hub with a new hub. Repeat the actions required by paragraph (a)
of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 flight hours.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(c) Special flight permits may be issued for non-revenue bearing
flights with essential crew only 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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Japanese
airworthiness directive TCD-4667-97, dated October 13, 1997.
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Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 24, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22528 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-C
