[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 122 (Monday, June 25, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29476-29479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13342]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0552; Product Identifier 2018-NM-049-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly
Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA)) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 29477]]
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model C-212-CB, C-212-CC, C-212-
CD, C-212-CE, and C-212-DF airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by
reports of failures of the rudder pedal control system support. This
proposed AD would require repetitive detailed visual inspections of the
rudder pedal control system support box and shaft and applicable
corrective actions. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 9, 2018.
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 NPRM, contact Airbus
Defense and Space, Services/Engineering support, Avenida de
Arag[oacute]n 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone: +34 91 585 55 84;
fax: +34 91 585 31 27; email: [email protected].
You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
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-2018-
0552; 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 NPRM, 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: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3220.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0552;
Product Identifier 2018-NM-049-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM based on
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 NPRM.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
2018-0051, dated March 2, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model C-212-
CB, C-212-CC, C-212-CD, C-212-CE, and C-212-DF airplanes. The MCAI
states:
Failures were reported of the rudder pedal control system
support on CASA C-212 aeroplanes. Subsequent investigation revealed
that the welding area of the affected support structure had broken.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the
rudder [pedal] control system, possibly resulting in reduced control
of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, EADS-CASA issued the
SB [EADS-CASA Service Bulletin SB-212-27-0057, dated May 21, 2014]
to provide modification instructions and EASA issued AD 2017-0036
[which corresponds to FAA AD 2017-19-08, Amendment 39-19038 (82 FR
43835, September 20 2017) (``AD 2017-19-08'')] to require that
modification [of the rudder pedal adjustment system]. During
accomplishment of that modification, several operators reported
difficulties or impossibility to follow the accomplishment
instruction. Consequently, EASA and Airbus D&S [Defense and Space
S.A.] reviewed the difficulty reports and decided that the
modification instructions have to be improved.
Pending the improvement of the instructions of the SB [EADS-CASA
Service Bulletin SB-212-27-0057, dated May 21, 2014] and in order to
reduce the risk of failure of the [rudder] pedal adjustment system
to an acceptable level, Airbus D&S issued the inspection AOT [Airbus
Alert Operators Transmission AOT-C212-27-0002, dated February 28,
2018] to provide instructions to repetitively inspect the affected
parts [rudder pedal support box Part Number (P/N) 212-46195.1 and
shaft P/N 212-46120-20].
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD cancels the
requirements of EASA AD 2017-0036, which is superseded, and requires
repetitive [detailed visual] inspections of the rudder pedal
adjustment system [rudder pedal support box P/N 212-46195.1 and
shaft P/N 212-46120-20] and, depending on findings, accomplishment
of applicable corrective action(s).
This [EASA] AD is considered to be an interim action and further
[EASA] AD action may follow.
Corrective actions include obtaining corrective actions approved by
the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or
EASA; or Airbus Defense and Space S.A.'s EASA Design Organization
Approval (DOA); and accomplishing the corrective actions within the
compliance time specified therein. You may examine the MCAI in the AD
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0552.
Relationship Between Proposed AD and AD 2017-19-08
This NPRM does not propose to supersede AD 2017-19-08. Rather, we
have determined that a stand-alone AD would be more appropriate to
address the changes in the MCAI. This proposed AD would require
repetitive detailed visual inspections of the rudder pedal control
system support box and shaft and applicable corrective actions.
Accomplishment of the proposed actions would then terminate all of the
requirements of AD 2017-19-08.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Airbus Defense and Space S.A. has issued Airbus Alert Operators
Transmission AOT-C212-27-0002, dated February 28, 2018. The service
information describes procedures for repetitive detailed visual
inspections of the rudder pedal control system support box and shaft.
This service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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
[[Page 29478]]
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 proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an 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 affects 36 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 8 work[dash]hours x $85 per hour = $0 Up to $680................ Up to $24,480.
Up to $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition repair specified in this proposed
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.
This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order,
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight
Division.
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.
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly Known as Construcciones
Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA)): Docket No. FAA-2018-0552; Product
Identifier 2018-NM-049-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by August 9, 2018.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2017-19-08, Amendment 39-19038 (82 FR 43835,
September 20 2017) (``AD 2017-19-08'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model C-212-CB,
C-212-CC, C-212-CD, C-212-CE, and C-212-DF airplanes; manufacturer
serial numbers 009, 034, 039, 089, 092, 119, 125, 133, 138, 149,
150, 154, 159, 161, 162, 164, 165, 167 through 169 inclusive, 171,
172, 174, 175, 178, 180, 181, 190, 192, 193, 195, 209 through 212
inclusive, 214 through 216 inclusive, 219 through 222 inclusive, 224
through 227 inclusive, 229, 235, 236, 238, 240, 242, 247 through 257
inclusive, 261 through 263 inclusive, 265, 272 through 282
inclusive, 286, 287, 289 through 292 inclusive, 294, 308, 311, 320,
322 through 324 inclusive, 328, 332, 336, 343, 347 through 349
inclusive, 356, 359, 363, 371, 379, 393, 397, 398, 405, 410, 411,
413, 465, 470, 472, 474, 475, 478, and 480 through 482 inclusive;
certificated in any category; except airplanes modified in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EADS-CASA Service
Bulletin SB-212-27-0057, dated May 21, 2014.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of failures of the rudder pedal
control system support. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the rudder control system, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Definitions
(1) For the purposes of this AD, an affected part is defined as
a rudder pedal support box having Part Number (P/N) 212-46195.1 and
shaft P/N 212-46120-20.
(2) For the purposes of this AD, a discrepancy or defect of the
rudder pedal support box P/N 212-46195.1 is defined as any crack or
deformation on any welded area.
(3) For the purposes of this AD, a discrepancy or defect of the
shaft P/N 212-46120-20 is defined as any crack or deformation.
(h) Repetitive Detailed Visual Inspections
Within 3 months or during the next scheduled A-check
maintenance, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this
AD, and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 150 flight hours, do
a detailed visual inspection of each affected part in accordance
with the instructions of Airbus Alert Operators Transmission AOT-
C212-27-0002, dated February 28, 2018.
[[Page 29479]]
(i) Corrective Action for Any Discrepancy or Defect
If any discrepancy or defect is detected during any inspection
required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further flight, obtain
corrective actions approved by the Manager, International Section,
Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA); or Airbus Defense and Space S.A.'s EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA); and accomplish the corrective actions
within the compliance time specified therein. If approved by the
DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
Accomplishment of a repair, as required by this paragraph, does not
constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections
required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
(j) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, an affected part may be
installed on any airplane provided that it is a new part or that,
before installation, the visual inspection required by paragraph (h)
of this AD has been accomplished on that part and the part passed
the inspection (no discrepancy or defect detected), as required by
paragraph (h) of this AD.
(k) Terminating Action for AD 2017-19-08
Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all of
the requirements of AD 2017-19-08.
(l) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 International Section, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD. Information
may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Defense
and Space S.A.'s EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must
include the DOA-authorized signature.
(m) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0051, dated March 2, 2018, for related
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2018-0552.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3220.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus Defense and Space, Services/Engineering support, Avenida de
Arag[oacute]n 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone: +34 91 585 55 84;
fax: +34 91 585 31 27; email:
[email protected]. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on June 14, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-13342 Filed 6-22-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P