[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7262-7264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02074]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1102; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-062-AD;
Amendment 39-17333; AD 2013-02-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; EADS CASA (Type Certificate Previously
Held by Construcciones Aeron[aacute]uticas, S.A.) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
[[Page 7263]]
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
EADS CASA (Type Certificate previously held by Construcciones
Aeron[aacute]uticas, S.A.) Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and
CN-235-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect
electrical polarity connections on engine fire extinguishing discharge
cartridges. This AD requires a one-time inspection to identify the
correct polarity for each pair of electrical connectors on each engine
fire extinguisher cartridge, and repair if necessary. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct incorrect polarity connections, which
could prevent the actuation of the discharge cartridge in case of
automatic fire detection or manual initiation during a potential engine
fire, and could result in damage to the airplane and injury to
passengers.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 8, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 8,
2013.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;
telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.
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 October 18, 2012 (77
FR 64053). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) states:
Reports have been received of finding wrong electrical polarity
connections of engine fire extinguishing discharge cartridges on
CASA CN-235 aeroplanes. The results of the subsequent investigation
showed that the incorrect discharge cartridge assembly was caused by
production line errors.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could prevent the
actuation of the discharge cartridge in case of automatic fire
detection or manual initiation in case of engine fire, possibly
resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to occupants.
To address this potential unsafe condition, EADS CASA (Airbus
Military) developed instructions to identify erroneous wiring
polarity installation.
For the reasons described above this [European Aviation Safety
Agency] AD requires a one-time inspection to verify proper
electrical polarity of wiring of each engine fire extinguisher
discharge cartridge and, depending on findings, corrective action
[accomplish the repair].
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 64053, October 18,
2012) 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 6 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of
this AD to the U.S. operators to be $2,040, or $340 per product.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
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 that this AD:
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);
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.
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 Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (77 FR 64053, October 18,
2012), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for the Docket Operations office
(telephone (800) 647-5527) 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
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 AD:
2013-02-12 EADS CASA (Type Certificate previously held by
Construcciones Aeron[aacute]uticas, S.A.): Amendment 39-
[[Page 7264]]
17333. Docket No. FAA-2012-1102; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-062-
AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 8,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all EADS CASA (Type Certificate previously
held by Construcciones Aeron[aacute]uticas, S.A.) Model CN-235, CN-
235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes, certificated in any
category, all serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire
protection.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect electrical polarity
connections on engine fire extinguishing discharge cartridges. We
are issuing this AD to detect and correct incorrect polarity
connections, which could prevent the actuation of the discharge
cartridge in case of automatic fire detection or manual initiation
during a potential engine fire, and could result in damage to the
airplane and injury to passengers.
(f) Compliance
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions
have already been done.
(g) Inspection
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, do a one-
time inspection to identify the correct polarity for each pair of
electrical connectors on each engine fire extinguisher cartridge, in
accordance with the Instructions of Airbus Military All Operator
Letter 235-020, dated March 9, 2012.
(h) Corrective Action
If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
erroneous wiring polarity is detected: Before further flight, repair
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).
(i) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 International Branch, send it to ATTN: Shahram
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
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. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this
AD.
(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.
(j) Related Information
Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0045, dated
March 21, 2012, and Airbus Military All Operator Letter 235-020,
dated March 9, 2012, for related information.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Military All Operator Letter 235-020, dated March 9,
2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact EADS-
CASA, Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD), Integrated
Customer Services (ICS), Technical Services, Avenida de
Arag[oacute]n 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone +34 91 585 55 84;
fax +34 91 585 55 05; email [email protected];
Internet http://www.eads.net.
(4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 425-227-1221.
(5) You may view this 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 Renton, Washington, on January 23, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02074 Filed 1-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P