[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46538-46539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22247]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-54-AD; Amendment 39-9731; AD 96-18-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bellanca, Incorporated Models 17-30,
17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31TC, and 17-31ATC 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 Bellanca, Incorporated (Bellanca) Models 17-30, 17-30A, 17-
31, 17-31A, 17-31TC, and 17-31ATC airplanes. This action requires
repetitively inspecting, testing, and possibly replacing the nose
landing gear (NLG) strut and brackets. A collapse of a Bellanca
airplane's NLG during a landing prompted this action. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent possible failure of the
nose landing gear, which, if not detected and corrected, could result
in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations.
DATES: Effective October 25, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 25, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Bellanca, Incorporated, P.O. Box 964, Alexandria, Minnesota 56308;
telephone (612) 762-1501. This information may also be examined at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the
Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-54-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: Steven J. Rosenfeld, Aerospace
Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 East Devon
Avenue, Rm. 232, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; (847) 294-7030; facsimile
(847) 294-7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply
to Bellanca Models 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31TC, and 17-31ATC
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 22, 1996 (61
FR 1532). The action proposed to require repetitively inspecting,
testing, and possibly replacing the nose landing gear (NLG) strut and
brackets. Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance
with Bellanca Service Letter (SL) B-107, dated September 20, 1995.
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.
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 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.
The FAA estimates that 1,109 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 24 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $160 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,774,400 or approximately $1,600
per airplane. Bellanca has informed the FAA that no parts have been
distributed to owners/operators for this replacement; therefore, this
figure is based on the assumption that no owners/operators have
accomplished the proposed inspection, testing, and replacement. In
addition, the FAA has no way of determining the number of repetitive
inspections each owner/operator will incur prior to replacing the
bracket.
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)
[[Page 46539]]
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:
96-18-07. Bellanca, Incorporated: Amendment 39-9731; Docket No. 95-
CE-54-AD.
Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers,
certificated in any category:
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Model Serial Nos.
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17-30..................................... (30123 through 30262)
17-30A.................................... (30263 through 78-30905,
except 76-30824)
17-31..................................... (32-1 through 32-14)
17-31A.................................... (32-15 through 78-32172)
17-31TC................................... (31001 through 31003)
17-31ATC.................................. (31004 through 79-31155)
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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 (g) 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 initially upon accumulating 500 hours time-
in-service (TIS) or within the next 50 hours TIS after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already
accomplished, and thereafter as indicated in the body of this AD.
To prevent failure of the nose landing gear (NLG), which, if not
detected and corrected, could result in loss of control of the
airplane during landing operations, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the NLG drag strut brackets for cracks or bends in
accordance with the instructions in section 4, NLG DRAG STRUT
BRACKET INSPECTION, of Bellanca Service Letter (SL) B-107, dated
September 20, 1995. Prior to further flight, replace any cracked or
bent bracket with a part number (P/N) 194650-0 (right side) bracket
or a P/N 194383-0 (left side) bracket in accordance with the
instructions in section 5, INSTALLATION NEW BRACKETS, of Bellanca SL
B-107, dated September 20, 1995.
(b) Inspect the NLG installation, including the upper and lower
leg assemblies, upper and lower drag struts, over-center spring
assembly, and engine mount for corroded or worn bolts in accordance
with the instructions in Section 6, NLG DRAG STRUT INSPECTION, of
Bellanca SL B-107, dated September 20, 1995. Prior to further
flight, replace any corroded or worn bolts.
(c) Check the NLG drag strut rigging, the overcenter of the drag
strut, and the NLG cylinder actuator stroke limit, and adjust any
discrepancies in accordance with the applicable instructions
contained in the following:
(1) Section 7, PRELIMINARY NLG DRAG STRUT RIGGING CHECK
(including section 7.1, Preliminary Nose-Wheel-In-The-Well Test, and
section 7.2, Preliminary NLG Cylinder Down Test), of Bellanca SL B-
107, dated September 20, 1995.
(2) Section 8, DRAG STRUT OVERCENTER TEST AND ADJUSTMENT, of
Bellanca SL B-107, dated September 20, 1995.
(3) Section 9, NLG CYLINDER DOWN TEST AND ADJUSTMENT, of
Bellanca SL B-107, dated September 20, 1995.
(d) If any discrepancies are found during any of the checks
accomplished as required by paragraph (c) of this AD, and the right
side NLG drag strut bracket has not been replaced with P/N 194650-0
(accomplished as possible requirement of paragraph (a) of this AD),
accomplish the following:
(1) Reinspect the NLG drag strut brackets for cracks or bends at
intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS in accordance with Section 4,
NLG DRAG STRUT BRACKET INSPECTION, of Bellanca SL B-107, dated
September 20, 1995.
(2) Prior to further flight, replace any cracked or bent bracket
with a P/N 194650-0 (right side) bracket or a P/N 194383-0 (left
side) bracket in accordance with the instructions in section 5,
INSTALLATION NEW BRACKETS, of Bellanca SL B-107, dated September 20,
1995. Installing the P/N 194650-0 (right side) bracket eliminates
the repetitive inspection requirement in paragraph (d)(1) of this
AD.
(3) The P/N 194650-0 (right side) bracket may be installed at
any time to eliminate the repetitive inspection requirement of this
AD.
(e) Check the NLG retraction (NLG-In-The-Well Test) in
accordance with the instructions in Section 10, NLG-IN-THE-WELL TEST
AND NLG CYLINDER MODIFICATION, of Bellanca SL B-107, dated September
20, 1995. If the nose gear cylinder rod motion is greater than 0.015
inches, prior to further flight, replace the cylinder internal
stroke limiting sleeve with a new sleeve, P/N 195577-4, in
accordance with the instructions in Section 10, NLG-IN-THE-WELL TEST
AND NLG CYLINDER MODIFICATION, of Bellanca SL B-107, dated September
20, 1995.
(f) 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.
(g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft
Certification Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Rm. 232, Des Plaines,
Illinois 60018. The request shall be forwarded through an
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then
send it to the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.
(h) The inspections, modifications, and replacements required by
this AD shall be done in accordance of Bellanca Service Letter B-
107, dated September 20, 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
Bellanca, Incorporated, P.O. Box 964, Alexandria, Minnesota 56308;
telephone (612) 762-1501. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 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.
(i) This amendment (39-9731) becomes effective on October 25,
1996.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 23, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22247 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
