[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 2, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37679-37681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15525]
[[Page 37679]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0438; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-015-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexandria Aircraft LLC Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 75-20-06,
which applies to certain Alexandria Aircraft LLC (type certificate
previously held by Bellanca Aircraft Corp., Viking Aviation, Inc., and
Bellanca, Inc.) Models 14-19-3A, 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-
31ATC, and 17-31TC airplanes. AD 75-20-06 requires repetitively
inspecting the aft fuselage structure near the top of the vertical side
tubing, which connects the horizontal stabilizer carry-through to the
upper fuselage longeron, for cracks and installing the manufacturer's
service repair kit as a terminating action for the repetitive
inspections to repair any cracks found. Since we issued AD 75-20-06, we
have determined that installing the service kit has not prevented
cracks from occurring. We have also determined that all affected
airplane serial numbers should be included in the Applicability
section. This proposed AD would require continued repetitive
inspections of the aft fuselage structure near the top of the vertical
side tubing for cracks and making all necessary replacements of cracks
parts. This proposed AD would also add additional serial number
airplanes to the Applicability section. We are proposing this AD to
correct the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 18, 2014.
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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Alexandria Aircraft LLC, 2504 Aga Drive, Alexandria, MN 5630; phone:
(320) 763-4088; fax: (320) 763-4095; Internet: www.bellanca-
aircraft.com; email: aircraft.com">partsales@bellanca-aircraft.com. You may view 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-
0438; 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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Rosenfeld, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue,
Room 107, Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: (847) 294-7030; fax: (847) 294-
7834; 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-2014-0438;
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-015-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://www.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
On September 12, 1975, we issued AD 75-20-06, Amendment 39-2372 (40
FR 13184, September 22, 1975), (``AD 75-20-06''), for certain
Alexandria Aircraft LLC (type certificate previously held by Bellanca
Aircraft Corp., Viking Aviation, Inc., and Bellanca, Inc.) Models 14-
19-3A, 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31ATC, and 17-31TC airplanes.
AD 75-20-06 requires repetitively inspecting the aft fuselage structure
near the top of the vertical side tubing, which connects the horizontal
stabilizer carry-through to the upper fuselage longeron, for cracks and
installing the manufacturer's service repair kit (Bellanca Kit
SK1234789-0004) as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections
to repair any cracks found. AD 75-20-06 resulted from reports of cracks
found in the aft fuselage structure near the horizontal stabilizer
carry-through on the Model 17 series airplanes. We issued AD 75-20-06
to detect and correct cracks in either vertical side fuselage tube
(fuselage station (F.S.) 7), which is adjacent to the horizontal
stabilizer carry-through, in the area near the upper fuselage longeron
to prevent failure of the horizontal stabilizer. This failure could
cause reduced structural integrity of the fuselage and result in loss
of control.
Actions Since AD 75-20-06 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 75-20-06, we have received reports that cracks
are still being found in the vertical side fuselage tube (F.S. 7) in
the area near the upper fuselage longeron on airplanes that have had
Bellanca Kit SK1234789-0004 installed, which is a terminating action
for the repetitive inspections required in AD 75-20-06.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Alexandria Aircraft LLC Bellanca Service Letter 85,
Revision B, dated April 8, 2004. The service letter describes
procedures for repetitively inspecting the horizontal stabilizer
fuselage attachment tube and carry-thru tube support bracket for cracks
and replacing any cracked parts found.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing 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.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would retain the inspection requirements of AD 75-
20-06 and remove the terminating action allowed in AD 75-20-06.
[[Page 37680]]
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 847 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspecting the horizontal 1 work-hour x $85 per Not applicable..... $85 $71,995
stabilizer fuselage attachment hour = $85.
tube and carry-thru tube support
bracket (retained actions from
AD 75-20-06).
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need
these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the horizontal stabilizer 30 work-hours x $85 per hour = $575 $3,125
fuselage attachment tube and carry-thru $2,550.
tube support bracket.
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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 have 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
75-20-06, Amendment 39-2372 (40 FR 13184, September 22, 1975), and
adding the following new AD:
Alexandria Aircraft LLC: Docket No. FAA-2014-0438; Directorate
Identifier 2014-CE-015-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 18,
2014.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 75-20-06, Amendment 39-2372 (40 FR 13184,
September 22, 1975) (``AD 75-20-06'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Alexandria Aircraft LLC (type certificate
previously held by Bellanca Aircraft Corp., Viking Aviation, Inc.,
and Bellanca, Inc.) Models 14-19-3A, 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A,
17-31ATC, and 17-31TC airplanes, all serial numbers (S/Ns),
certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that cracks are still being
found in the vertical side fuselage tube (fuselage station 7) in the
area near the upper fuselage longeron on airplanes that have had
Bellanca Kit SK1234789-0004 installed, which is a terminating action
for the repetitive inspections required in AD 75-20-06. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in either vertical side
fuselage tube (F.S. 7), which is adjacent to the horizontal
stabilizer carry-through, in the area near the upper fuselage
longeron to prevent failure of the horizontal stabilizer. This
failure could cause reduced structural integrity of the fuselage and
result in loss of control.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified
paragraphs (g) through (h) of this AD, unless already done.
(g) Inspection
(1) Models 14-19-3A and 17-31A, S/Ns 32-15 through 76-32-163;
Models 17-30 and 17-30A, S/Ns 30263 through 76-30811; and Models 17-
31, 17-31TC, and 17-31ATC, S/Ns 30004, and 31004 through 76-31124
[[Page 37681]]
(airplanes previously affected by AD 75-20-06): Within the next 100
hours time-in-service (TIS) after the last inspection completed by
AD 75-20-06 or within the next 25 hours TIS after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs later, and repetitively thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, visually inspect the aft
fuselage truss for cracks as specified in paragraph 4. INSPECTION of
Alexandria Aircraft LLC Bellanca Service Letter 85, Revision B,
dated April 8, 2004.
(2) Models 14-19-3A, 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31ATC, and
17-31TC airplanes, all S/Ns not referenced in paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD (airplanes not previously affected by AD 75-20-06): Before
or upon the accumulation of 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) or
within the next 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not
to exceed 100 hours TIS, visually inspect the aft fuselage truss for
cracks as specified in paragraph 4. INSPECTION of Alexandria
Aircraft LLC Bellanca Service Letter 85, Revision B, dated April 8,
2004.
(h) Replacement
If cracks are found during any inspection required by paragraphs
(g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, before further flight, replace the
cracked parts with FAA-approved zero-time parts as specified in
paragraph 5. REPAIR of Alexandria Aircraft LLC Bellanca Service
Letter 85, Revision B, dated April 8, 2004.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Chicago 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 paragraph (l)(1) 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.
(3) AMOCs approved for AD 75-20-06, Amendment 39-2372 (40 FR
13184, September 22, 1975) are not approved as AMOCs for the
corresponding provisions of this AD.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Steven
Rosenfeld, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Chicago ACO, 2300 East Devon
Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: (847) 294-7030; fax:
(847) 294-7834; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Alexandria Aircraft LLC, 2504 Aga Drive, Alexandria, MN 5630; phone:
(320) 763-4088; fax: (320) 763-4095; Internet: www.bellanca-
aircraft.com; email: aircraft.com">partsales@bellanca-aircraft.com. You may view
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 June 24, 2014.
Timothy Smyth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15525 Filed 7-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P