[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11723-11725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04549]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0130; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-005-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Concept Limited
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160 airplanes. This
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to
identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
[[Page 11724]]
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the metal screen
shield over the ignition switch may ground out the ignition terminals.
We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 17, 2014.
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.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Alpha Aviation, 59 Hautapu Road, RD 1, Cambridge 3493, New Zealand;
telephone: +64 7 827 0528; fax: +64 7 929 2878; Internet:
www.alphaaviation.co.nz. You may review this 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0130; 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 proposed 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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123 ; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-013;
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-005-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority
for New Zealand, has issued AD DCA/R2000/42, dated January 29, 2014
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160 airplanes. The
MCAI states:
The AD is prompted by an overseas DR300/180R aircraft accident
which occurred during take-off. Investigation revealed a distorted
metal screen shield which grounded the ignition switch terminals and
resulted in loss of engine power.
Robin aircraft manufactured prior to 1985 were fitted with
ignition switches protected with a metal screen shield. With
subsequent radio and electrical system improvements ignition switch
shielding is no longer required, and most aircraft do not have metal
screen shielded ignition switches.
This AD requires a one-time inspection of the ignition switch to
determine if a metal screen shield is installed, and depending on
findings, to modify or replace the ignition switch with a
serviceable part. The AD prohibits the installation of a metal
screen shield ignition switch on any aircraft.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0130.
Relevant Service Information
Alpha Aviation has issued Service Bulletin AA-SB-24-002, Revision
0, dated January 2014. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed 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 proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 10 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $2,550, or $255 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $100, for a cost of
$355 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products
that may need these actions.
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 proposed 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.
[[Page 11725]]
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:
Alpha Aviation Concept Limited: Docket No. FAA-2014-0130;
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-005-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by April 17, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160
airplanes, serial numbers 001 through 378, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 74: Ignition.
(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 the metal screen
shield over the ignition switch may ground out the ignition
terminals. We are issuing this AD to prevent the ignition switch
metal screen from grounding out the ignition switch terminals, which
could cause the engine to shut down.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through
(f)(3) of this AD:
(1) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service after the effective
date of this AD or within the next 3 months after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the airplane ignition
switch for the presence of a metal screen shield. Do the inspection
following the Accomplishment Instructions in Alpha Aviation Service
Bulletin AA-SB-24-002, Revision 0, dated January 2014.
(2) If a metal screen is found during the inspection required in
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, modify or
replace the ignition switch following the Accomplishment
Instructions in Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-24-002,
Revision 0, dated January 2014.
(3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an
ignition switch with a metal screen shield.
(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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; 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 Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD DCA/R2000/42,
dated January 29, 2014, for related information. You may examine the
MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0130. For service information
related to this AD, contact Alpha Aviation, 59 Hautapu Road, RD 1,
Cambridge 3493, New Zealand; telephone: +64 7 827 0528; fax: +64 7
929 2878; Internet: www.alphaaviation.co.nz. You may review this
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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 21, 2014.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04549 Filed 2-28-14; 8:45 am]
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