E8-13108. Airworthiness Directives; GENERAL AVIA Costruzioni Aeronatiche Models F22B, F22C, and F22R 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) issued 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:

ENAC Italy AD 2004-376 was issued in response to two separate reports of cracks found in the Firewall-to-Engine mounting attachments. Detachment of the engine mounts from the structure is the possible consequence. Although the actual cause has not been finally determined, some repairs have been approved to address and correct the unsafe condition.

This new AD, which supersedes ENAC Italy AD 2004-376, retains the initial inspection requirement, adds repetitive inspections and clarifies the conditions under which aircraft that have been repaired by an approved method can be allowed to return to service.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective July 23, 2008.

On July 23, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.

ADDRESSES:

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 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 April 11, 2008 (73 FR 19775). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

ENAC Italy AD 2004-376 was issued in response to two separate reports of cracks found in the Firewall-to-Engine mounting attachments. Detachment of the engine mounts from the structure is the possible consequence. Although the actual cause has not been finally determined, some repairs have been approved to address and correct the unsafe condition.

This new AD, which supersedes ENAC Italy AD 2004-376, retains the initial inspection requirement, adds repetitive inspections and clarifies the conditions under which aircraft that have been repaired by an approved method can be allowed to return to service.

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 FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will affect no products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 100 work-hours per product to comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $740 per product.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $0 or $8,740 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 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://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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 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:

2008-12-13 GENERAL AVIA Costruzioni Aeronatiche: Amendment 39-15556; Docket No. FAA-2008-0423; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-010-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 23, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Models F22B, F22C, and F22R airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 71: Power Plant-General.

Reason

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

ENAC Italy AD 2004-376 was issued in response to two separate reports of cracks found in the Firewall-to-Engine mounting attachments. Detachment of the engine mounts from the structure is the possible consequence. Although the actual cause has not been finally determined, some repairs have been approved to address and correct the unsafe condition.

This new AD, which supersedes ENAC Italy AD 2004-376, retains the initial inspection requirement, adds repetitive inspections and clarifies the conditions under which aircraft that have been repaired by an approved method can be allowed to return to service.

The MCAI requires you to repetitively inspect the structure surrounding the heads of the four bolts of the engine mount attachment bracket for cracks or damages and repair any cracks or damages found as a result of the inspection.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Do the following actions:

(1) Unless already done within the last 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) before July 23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), before further flight and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspect the structure surrounding the heads of the four bolts of the engine mount attachment bracket, approaching from the cabin of the aircraft in the zone below the instrument panel. In case the indicated area (in particular for the upper bolts) is not visible due to equipment presence (relay, cooling fan, and so forth), remove all of the upper right-hand panel and part of the left-hand panel of the fireproof bulkhead to approach the area to be inspected through the engine compartment. In this case the use of a small mirror is necessary.

(2) If as a result of any inspection required by paragraphs (f)(1) of this AD you find any discrepancies (for example, cracked or broken parts), do one of the following actions before further flight:

(i) Repair the aircraft following Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH General Avia F22 Modification 15328 Repair Instructions, dated September 10, 2007; or

(ii) Repair the aircraft following a repair method approved by the FAA for this AD.

(3) If you repair the aircraft as specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this AD, repetitively thereafter inspect the aircraft at intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS following the instructions in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. If as a result of these repetitive inspections you find any discrepancies, prior to further flight, repair the aircraft following Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH General Avia F22 Modification 15328 Repair Instructions, dated September 10, 2007.

(4) If you repair the aircraft as specified in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this AD, repetitively thereafter inspect the aircraft using the repetitive inspection interval established by the FAA-approved repair method used. Follow the inspection instruction in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. If as a result of the inspection you find any discrepancies, repair before further flight following a repair method approved by the FAA for this AD.

FAA AD Differences

Note:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

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

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, 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: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2008-0015, dated January 18, 2008; and Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH General Avia F22 Modification 15328 Repair Instructions, dated September 10, 2007, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH General Avia F22 Modification 15328 Repair Instructions, dated September 10, 2007, 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 Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH, Eisenwerkstrasse 9; D-58332 Schwelm, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail].

(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 5, 2008.

David R. Showers,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.