[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33083-33085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13355]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0578; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-019-AD;
Amendment 39-17071; AD 2012-11-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Models 2T-1A, 2T-1A-1, and 2T-1A-2
airplanes. This AD requires inspection of the front and rear horizontal
stabilizer spar assemblies with replacement of parts as necessary. This
AD was prompted by cracking of the horizontal stabilizer spars, which
could lead to failure of the horizontal spars with consequent loss of
control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 20, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 20,
2012.
We must receive comments on this AD by July 20, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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.
For service information identified in this AD, contact WACO Classic
Aircraft Corporation; 15955 South Airport Rd., Battle Creek, Michigan
49015; telephone: (269) 565-1000; fax: (269) 565-1100; email:
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.wacoaircraft.com/great-lakes-support/. You may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven J. Rosenfeld, Aerospace
Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 2300 East
Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; phone: (847) 294-
7030; fax: (847) 294-7834; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
In the last two years, there have been three incidents of
horizontal stabilizer failure on WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation
Models 2T-1A, 2T-1A-1, and 2T-1A-2 airplanes. Cracks originated from
around the circumference of the right stabilizer front spar and, in one
incident, the stabilizer separated from the aircraft. This condition,
if not corrected, could result in failure of the horizontal stabilizer
spars with consequent loss of control.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, Great Lakes
Aircraft, Service Bulletin No. SB-GL12-01R, Revision IR, dated January
25, 2012. The service information describes procedures for inspecting
the front and rear horizontal stabilizer spar assemblies with
replacement as necessary.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires inspecting the front and rear horizontal
stabilizer spar assemblies with replacement of parts as necessary. The
AD also requires sending the initial inspection results to the Chicago
ACO.
Interim Action
We consider this AD interim action. After evaluating the inspection
results, we may take further AD action.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
failure of the horizontal stabilizer spars could result in loss of
control. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2012-0578 and
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-019-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
AD because of those comments.
[[Page 33084]]
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 AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 134 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection of the front and 4 work-hours x Not applicable............. $340 $45,560
rear horizontal stabilizer $85 per hour =
spar assemblies. $340.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these
replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replacement of the front and rear spar 92 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,200 $10,020
stabilizer assembly parts (accumulative cost 7,820.
for all four spar assemblies).
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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
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 that 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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2012-11-08 WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-17071 ;
Docket No. FAA-2012-0578; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-019-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective June 20, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the following WACO Classic Aircraft
Corporation model airplanes listed in paragraphs (c)(1) through
(c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category:
(1) 2T-1A: Serial numbers (S/Ns) 0501 through 0502,
(2) 2T-1A-1: S/Ns 0503 through 0699, and
(3) 2T-1A-2: S/Ns 0701 through 1012.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 55, Horizontal Stabilizer Spar/Rib.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by failure of the horizontal stabilizer
spars, which could result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection
Before doing aerobatic flight maneuvers or at the next annual or
100-hour inspection after July 20, 2012, whichever occurs first, and
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 200 hours
time-in-service (TIS), inspect the front and rear horizontal
stabilizer spar assemblies for cracking following WACO Classic
Aircraft Corporation, Great Lakes Aircraft, Service Bulletin No. SB-
GL12-01R, Revision IR, dated January 25, 2012.
(h) Maintenance
If any cracking is found during any of the inspections required
by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, replace the
cracked parts following WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, Great
Lakes Aircraft, Service Bulletin No. SB-GL12-01R, Revision IR, dated
January 25, 2012.
[[Page 33085]]
(i) Reporting Requirement
Within 10 days after the initial inspection required in
paragraph (g) of this AD, send a report of the inspection results to
the Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) using the contact
information found in the Related Information paragraph (l). Include
in your report the following information:
(1) Date of inspection,
(2) Model of aircraft,
(3) N number of aircraft,
(4) Serial number of aircraft,
(5) Hours TIS of aircraft,
(6) Description of failure if applicable,
(7) Part(s) and part number of failed part(s) if applicable.
(j) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Chicago ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the
Related Information section of this AD.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Steven J. Rosenfeld,
Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018;
phone: (847) 294-7030; fax: (847) 294-7834; email:
[email protected].
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) You must use WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, Great Lakes
Aircraft, Service Bulletin No. SB-GL12-01R, Revision IR, dated
January 25, 2012, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the
AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact WACO
Classic Aircraft Corporation; 15955 South Airport Rd., Battle Creek,
Michigan 49015; telephone: (269) 565-1000; fax: (269) 565-1100;
email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.wacoaircraft.com/great-lakes-support/.
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (816) 329-4148.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that
is incorporated by reference 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 May 25, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-13355 Filed 6-4-12; 8:45 am]
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