[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 103 (Wednesday, May 29, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32081-32084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12517]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0456; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-011-AD;
Amendment 39-17462; AD 2013-11-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aircraft Industries a.s. 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
Aircraft Industries a.s. Model L-420 airplanes. This AD results from
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as in-flight engine flame out occurred at take-off with water
injection after reduction of engine power. We are issuing this AD to
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 18, 2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by July 15, 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 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106.
[[Page 32082]]
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 (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD
No. 2013-0097, dated April 24, 2013 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:
Currently, the automatic switching off of the water injection
system as installed on L-410 and L-420 aeroplanes stops the water
injection into the engines during engine power reduction when
throttle control levers pass the position corresponding to 88-92% of
gas generator speed.
During a recent event, in-flight engine flame out occurred at
take-off with water injection after reduction of engine power.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further events
of uncommanded in-flight engine shut-down or power loss, possibly
resulting in forced landing, with consequent damage to the aeroplane
and injury to occupants.
Prompted by this occurrence, a procedure has been developed,
instructing the flight crew to switch off the water injection
system, prior to engine power reduction, to prevent any possible
engine flame out.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires an amendment
of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) by implementation of a procedure
to manually switch off the water injection system, prior to any
engine power reduction.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the 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 issuing this AD because we
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same type design.
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 because there
are no airplanes currently on the U.S. registry and thus, does not have
any impact upon the public. Therefore, we find that notice and
opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary 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 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-2013-0456; Directorate
Identifier 2013-CE-011-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 0 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour 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 the AD on U.S.
operators to be $0, or $0 per product.
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.
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:
[[Page 32083]]
2013-11-02 Aircraft Industries a.s.: Amendment 39-17462; Docket No.
FAA-2013-0456; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-011-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 18,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Aircraft Industries a.s. Model L-420
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 82: Water
Injection.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by 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 in-flight engine
flame out occurred at take-off with water injection after reduction
of engine power. We are issuing this AD to correct this condition,
which, if not corrected, could lead to further events of uncommanded
in-flight engine shut-down or power loss, possibly resulting in
forced landing, with consequent damage to the airplane and injury to
occupants.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, within 30 days after June 18, 2013 (the
effective date of this AD), amend the applicable airplane flight
manual (AFM) by inserting a copy of Appendix 1 of this AD, opposite
the appropriate AFM page on which the water injection procedure is
described.
(g) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(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: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected]. 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 assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.:
2013-0097, dated April 24, 2013, for related information.
Appendix 1 to AD 2013-11-02
AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL (AFM)
PROCEDURE TO CONTROL WATER INJECTION SYSTEM for Aircraft Industries
a.s. Model L-420 Airplanes
Appendix 1--AFM procedure
Procedure to Control Water Injection System
WATER INJECTION circuit ON
breakter.
TCL.......................... TQ=min. 60%
WATER INJECTION/ON push- Push and hold till amber
button. WATER INJECTION signal comes on (on
the front control panel)
Before throttling back power: .....................................
WATER INJECTION/OFF push- Push and check amber
button. WATER INJECTION signal extinguishes
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR29MY13.000
[[Page 32084]]
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 20, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12517 Filed 5-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P