[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 80 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24340-24343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08987]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0330; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-051-AD;
Amendment 39-17427; AD 2013-08-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Kelowna Flightcraft R & D Ltd.
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 24341]]
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Tracor (Convair) Model 340 and 440 airplanes and certain Military Model
C-131B, C-131D, C-131E, and C131F/R4Y-1 airplanes. This AD requires
repetitive inspections of the lower skin of the wings for cracking
around the inboard side of the wing station (WS) 6 and 7 access panel
doubler fingers and between stringers 5 and 11; repetitive inspections
of the lower skin of the wings for cracking around stringers 6, 8, and
10, and around the WS 6 and WS 7 access panel doubler fingers; and
repair if necessary. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found
on the lower skin of the right-hand wing between WS 5 and WS 6. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the lower
skin of the wings, which could result in reduced structural integrity
of the wings.
DATES: This AD becomes effective May 10, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 10, 2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by June 10, 2013.
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, 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 Operations office
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 Operations 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: Jeffrey Zimmer, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury,
NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-7306; fax (516) 794-5531; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Emergency Airworthiness
Directive CF-2013-04, dated February 14, 2013 (referred to after this
as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:
While performing a corrosion inspection of the wing internal
structures, an operator discovered a crack of significant length
between Wing Station (WS) 5 and 6, on the right hand wing lower skin
of a Convair 580 aeroplane. Although an investigation is still
ongoing to determine the cause, the crack appears to originate from
a fastener located at the wing skin to wing access door doubler
attachment.
Previous repetitive external inspections of the wing lower skin
in accordance with Structurally Significant Detail (SSD) 57-1-4,
that was mandated by FAA AD 92-06-06, [Amendment 39-8186 (57 FR
9382, March 18, 1992)], did not detect the crack because the
location of the crack is covered by the nacelle drag angle.
Cracking of the wing lower skin at a fatigue critical area, if
not detected, could compromise the structural integrity of the wing.
This [TCCA] AD mandates internal visual and eddy current inspections
to detect cracking of the wing lower skin to mitigate this unsafe
condition. Transport Canada may mandate additional corrective
actions [repair] pending the outcome of the failure investigation
and fleet findings.
The visual and eddy current inspections mandated by this [TCCA] AD
are considered as Alternative Means of Compliance (AMOC) to the SSD
57-1-4 inspection that was mandated by FAA AD 92-06-06, for the
locations addressed by the visual and eddy current inspections.
Corrective action includes repairing any cracking of the lower skin of
the wings. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in
the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd. has issued Service Bulletin 340-57-001,
dated February 12, 2013. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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 the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information
The MCAI and Kelowna Flightcraft Service Bulletin 340-57-001, dated
February 12, 2013, specify that operators with a damage rate factor
(DRF) must divide 1,000 flight hours by their DRF to get the repetitive
inspection interval. However, there are no U.S.-registered airplanes
that have a DRF; therefore, this AD requires that the repetitive
inspections be done at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours.
The MCAI and Kelowna Flightcraft Service Bulletin 340-57-001, dated
February 12, 2013, do not contain instructions to repair certain
cracking conditions; however, this AD requires repairing those
conditions using a method approved by either the Manager, New York
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or TCCA (or its delegated
agent).
FAA's 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 based on the
manufacturer's engineering analysis of the structural failure condition
and flight hours/cycles on the affected fleet, which showed that
certain areas of the lower skin of the wings must be inspected for
fatigue cracking. Such fatigue cracking could result in reduced
structural integrity of the wings. Therefore, we determined that notice
and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0330;
[[Page 24342]]
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-051-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.
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 will affect 70 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 6 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 $35,700, or $510 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.
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:
2013-08-10 Kelowna Flightcraft R & D Ltd.: Amendment 39-17427.
Docket No. FAA-2013-0330; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-051-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 10,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Tracor (Convair) Model 340 and 440 airplanes,
including airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificates (STC)
SA1096WE http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/BAB5BE3241FF1FD085256CC10080DDDC?OpenDocument&Highlight=sa1096we
(commonly referred to as Model 640 airplanes), STC SA6088NM http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/BEFFE27E85EAFF9186257714007C8B4B?OpenDocument&Highlight=sa6088nm
(commonly referred to as Model 5800 airplanes), and STC SA4-1100
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/AFD81364EE6A3EAC85256CC2000C5CC2?OpenDocument&Highlight=sa4-1100
(commonly referred to as Model 580 airplanes) and Military Model C-
131B, C-131D, C-131E, and C131F/R4Y-1 airplanes; certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found on the lower
skin of the right-hand (RH) wing between wing station (WS) 5 and 6.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the
lower skin of the wings, which could result in reduced structural
integrity of the wings.
(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) Repetitive Detailed Inspections
Within 20 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Do a
one-time detailed inspection for cracking of the lower skin of the
left-hand (LH) and RH wings around the inboard side of the WS 6 and
WS 7 access panel doubler fingers and between stringers 5 and 11, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Kelowna
Flightcraft Service Bulletin 340-57-001, dated February 12, 2013.
Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000
flight hours.
(h) Repetitive Eddy Current Inspections
Within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Do
an eddy current inspection for cracking of the lower skin of the LH
and RH wings for cracking around stringers 6, 8, and 10, and around
the WS 6 and WS 7 access panel doubler fingers, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Kelowna Flightcraft Service
Bulletin 340-57-001, dated February 12, 2013. Repeat the inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours.
(i) Repair
If any cracking is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD: Before further flight, repair using
a method approved by either the Manager, New York Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation
(TCCA) (or its delegated agent).
(j) Method of Compliance
The inspections required by this AD are approved as a method of
compliance to the structurally significant detail (SSD) 57-1-4
inspection required by AD 92-06-06, Amendment 39-8186 (57 FR 9382,
March 18, 1992), for only the locations addressed by the detailed
and eddy current inspections specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of
this AD. Inspections at all other locations addressed by SSD 57-1-4
remain applicable.
(k) Reporting
Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) of
each inspection required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD to
Kelowna Flightcraft Convair Division, 5655 Airport Way, Kelowna,
Canada BC, V1V 1S1; telephone (250) 807-5416; fax (250) 765-7140;
email [email protected]; at the
[[Page 24343]]
applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD.
(1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of
this AD.
(l) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New
York 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 ACO send it to ATTN: Program Manager,
Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax
516-794-5531. 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.
(3) Reporting Requirements: 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.
(m) Related Information
Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI)
Canadian Emergency Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-04, dated
February 14, 2013; and Kelowna Flightcraft Service Bulletin 340-57-
001, dated February 12, 2013; for related information.
(n) 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) Kelowna Flightcraft Service Bulletin 340-57-001, dated
February 12, 2013.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd., 5655 Airport Way, Kelowna, BC Canada, V1V
1S1; telephone (250) 807-5416; fax (250) 765-7140; Internet http://www.flightcraft.ca/convair.asp.
(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 April 8, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08987 Filed 4-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P