[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 14, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28125-28128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10498]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0393; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-025-AD;
Amendment 39-17446; AD 2013-09-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Twin Commander Aircraft LLC 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
Twin Commander Aircraft LLC Models 690, 690A, and 690B airplanes. This
AD requires inspection for cracking of the outer fuselage attachments,
the lower wing main spar, the vertical channels, the upper picture
window channels, aft cabin pressure web, external wing to fuselage
fillets, and fasteners; repair or replacement of damaged parts as
necessary; and modification of the structure with reinforced parts.
This AD
[[Page 28126]]
was prompted by cracks found in the upper picture window frame
channels, left- and right-hand wing main spar frame support channels,
and aft pressure bulkhead web. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in structural failure of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to
correct the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 29, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 29, 2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by June 28, 2013.
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 Twin
Commander Aircraft LLC; 1176 Telecom Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522;
telephone: (360) 403-0258; email: [email protected]; Internet:
http://www.twincommander.com. 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: Vince Massey, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057; telephone: (425) 917-6475; fax: (425) 917-6590; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We were notified of cracks found in the left and right wing main
spar frame support channels, the aft pressure bulkhead web, and the
left and right picture window upper frame channels of a Twin Commander
Aircraft LLC Model 690B airplane. Nineteen airplanes were inspected
with one having severe cracking in the left and right wing main spar
frame support channels, the aft pressure bulkhead web, and the left and
right picture window upper frame channels. Five other of the inspected
airplanes had similar but less severe damage. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in structural failure of the aircraft.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Twin Commander Aircraft LLC Service Bulletin 241, dated
September 26, 2012. The service information describes procedures for
access, disassembly, and inspecting the outer fuselage attachments, the
lower wing main spar, the vertical channels, the upper picture window
channels, aft cabin pressure web, external wing to fuselage fillets,
and fasteners for cracking. The service information also describes
procedures for modifying the structure with reinforced parts and
reassembly.
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 inspection for cracking of the outer fuselage
attachments, the lower wing main spar, the vertical channels, the upper
picture window channels, aft cabin pressure web, external wing to
fuselage fillets, and fasteners; repair or replacement of damaged parts
as necessary; and modification of the structure with reinforced parts.
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
cracking in the upper picture window frame channels, left- and right-
hand wing main spar frame support channels, and/or aft pressure
bulkhead web could result in structural failure of the aircraft.
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-2013-0393 and
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-025-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 affects 280 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 28127]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Disassembly, inspection, and 584 work-hours x $85 per $8,450 $58,090 $16,265,200
modification. hour = $49,640.
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The scope of damage found in the required inspection could vary
significantly from airplane to airplane. We have no way of determining
how much damage may be found on each airplane or the cost to repair
damaged parts on each airplane. The damage could be as minor as
replacing rivets or fasteners or as extensive as a major wing/fuselage
repair or replacement.
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
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354) (RFA)
establishes as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall
endeavor, consistent with the objective of the rule and of applicable
statutes, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale
of the businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions
subject to regulation.
To achieve that principle, the RFA requires agencies to solicit and
consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain the rationale for
their actions. The RFA covers a wide-range of small entities, including
small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small governmental
jurisdictions.
Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a proposed or
final rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. In accordance with Section 608 of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, an agency head may waive or delay
completion of some or all of the requirements of Section 603 by
providing a written finding that this final rule is being promulgated
in response to an emergency that makes compliance or timely compliance
with the provisions of Section 603 impracticable.
We are performing a review to determine whether this final rule AD
action will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number
of small entities. However, the immediate safety of flight conditions
of this AD action make compliance with the provisions of Section 603
impracticable. Our justification for immediate adoption of this rule,
and therefore of impracticability, is stated in FAA's Justification and
Determination of the Effective Date. After we determine whether this
final rule AD action has a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities or not, we will publish in the Federal
Register our determination and, if required, our final regulatory
flexibility analysis.
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):
2013-09-05 Twin Commander Aircraft LLC: Amendment 39-17446 ; Docket
No. FAA-2013-0393; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-025-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective May 29, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the following Twin Commander Aircraft LLC
airplanes, certificated in any category:
(1) Model 690, all serial numbers except 11057;
(2) Model 690A, all serial numbers except 11104, 11106, 11129,
11134, 11146, 11159, 11173, 11192, 11220, 11237, 11252, 11263,
11280, 11287, 11298, 11303, 11317, 11339, and 11341; and
(3) Model 690B, all serial numbers except 11383, 11384, 11401,
and 11436.
(4) Aircraft equipped with AVIADESIGN, Inc. STC No. SA5740NM
(You may find information on STC No. SA5740NM at Internet: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/FEC5B7544E15F14C85256CC200122B19?OpenDocument&Highlight=sa5740nm)
are not compatible with the modifications contained in Twin
Commander Aircraft LLC Service Bulletin 241, dated September 26,
2012. When an airplane has been modified, altered, or repaired in
the area addressed by the AD action, according to 14 CFR part 39.15,
the AD action still applies to that airplane. Following 14 CFR
39.19, the owner/operator of that airplane must request approval
from the FAA for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC)
following the instructions in paragraph (j) of this AD.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 53; Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by cracks found in the upper picture window
frame channels, left- and right-hand wing main spar frame support
channels, and aft pressure bulkhead web. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in structural failure of the airplane. 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
(1) Inspect the airplane structural components, at the
compliance times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through
(g)(1)(iv) of this AD following Part I of Twin Commander Aircraft
LLC Service Bulletin 241, September 26, 2012:
(i) For airplanes with 10,000 or more hours time-in-service
(TIS), inspect within the next 30 days after the effective date of
this AD.
[[Page 28128]]
(ii) For airplanes with 7,500 through 9,999 hours TIS, inspect
within the next 60 days after the effective date of this AD.
(iii) For airplanes with 5,000 through 7,499 hours TIS, inspect
within the next 6 months after the effective date of this AD.
(iv) For airplanes with less than 5,000 hours TIS, inspect when
the airplane accumulates a total of 5,000 hours TIS or within the
next 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later.
(h) Repair
If any damage, cracks, and/or cracks that exceed the allowable
limits specified in the service bulletin are found during the
inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further
flight, repair or replace parts as necessary following Twin
Commander Aircraft LLC Service Bulletin 241, dated, September 26,
2012. If Twin Commander Aircraft LLC Service Bulletin 241, dated,
September 26, 2012, does not give procedures for repair of the
damaged area, before further flight, you must contact Twin Commander
Aircraft LLC to obtain repair instructions approved by the Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) specifically for compliance with
this AD and incorporate those instructions. You can find contact
information for Twin Commander Aircraft LLC in paragraph (l)(2) of
this AD.
(i) Modification and Reassembly
(1) Before further flight after completing the actions in
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, modify and reassemble the
airplane using the modification and reassembly procedures in Part II
of Twin Commander Aircraft LLC Service Bulletin 241, dated,
September 26, 2012.
(2) Although Twin Commander Aircraft LLC Service Bulletin 241,
dated September 26, 2012, states that at least one person on the
modification team must have completed the Twin Commander Aircraft
LLC approved training, the FAA does not require that a mechanic
complete this specialized training to do the modification work
required in this AD. Regulations 14 CFR 65.81(a) and 14 CFR 65.81(b)
provide criteria about qualifications of those performing
maintenance; in this case, the requirements of this AD.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (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.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Vince Massey,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA 98057; telephone: (425) 917-6475; fax: (425) 917-6590; email:
[email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) You must use the following service information 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:
(i) Twin Commander Aircraft LLC Service Bulletin 241, dated
September 26, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Twin
Commander Aircraft LLC; 1176 Telecom Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522;
telephone: (360) 403-0258; email: [email protected];
Internet: http://www.twincommander.com.
(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 April 25, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-10498 Filed 5-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P