[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 71 (Friday, April 11, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19775-19777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7657]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0423; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-010-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; GENERAL AVIA Costruzioni Aeronatiche
Models F22B, F22C, and F22R Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed 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:
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 proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 12, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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 this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0423;
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-010-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD
No. 2008-0015, dated January 18, 2008 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), 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.
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 damage and repair any cracks or damage found as a result of
the inspection. You may obtain further information by examining the
MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Gomolzig Flugzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH has issued General Avia F22
Modification 15328 Repair Instructions, dated September 10, 2007. The
actions described in this service information are intended to correct
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
There are no products of this type currently registered in the
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
[[Page 19776]]
Differences Between This Proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect no products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 100 work-hours per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $740 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $0, or $8,740 per product.
We have no way of determining the number of products that may need
any necessary follow-on actions.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
regulation:
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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
General Avia Costruzioni Aeronatiche: Docket No. FAA-2008-0423;
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-010-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by May 12, 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 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:
[[Page 19777]]
(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: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090.
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 ensure 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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 3, 2008.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-7657 Filed 4-10-08; 8:45 am]
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