[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 2706-2708] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-1573] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 95-CE-88-AD; Amendment 39-9500; AD 95-24-10] Airworthiness Directives; Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation Part Number 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) Tires Installed on the Main Landing Gear of Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-24-10, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of airplanes with a Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation part number (P/N) 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tire installed on the main landing gear. This AD requires replacing any of the affected tires with an FAA-approved tire. Two reports of failure (rupture) of the main landing gear tire during landing operations on Cessna Citation VII airplanes prompted priority letter AD 95-24-10. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of control of the airplane during landing operations because of failure of a P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tire. DATES: Effective February 21, 1996, to all persons except those to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 95-24-10, issued November 21, 1995, which contained the requirements of this amendment. Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before April 30, 1996. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-88-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Information that relates to this AD may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., 7th Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Denise Bosonetto, Aerospace Engineer, [[Page 2707]] FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; telephone (404) 305-7379; facsimile (404) 305-7348. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received two reports of failure (rupture) of the main landing gear tire during landing operations on Cessna Citation VII airplanes. Analysis of these incidents revealed the following: --The tires, P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR), were manufactured by the Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation (FAA Manufacturing Approval: TSO- C62c); --The cause of the failure is attributed to separations that developed in the crown region of the tire with the rubber component below the tread reinforcing plies; --The separations are attributed to low adhesion caused by a misplaced rubber compound; and --A check of the company records reveals that a total of 137 tires were manufactured in this lot and the remaining 135 tires could contain this same low adhesion problem. The P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tires are predominantly installed on Cessna Model 650 (Citation III, VI, and VII) airplanes; however, they could be installed on other airplanes. After reviewing and examining all available information to the incidents received above, the FAA has determined that (1) the remaining 135 tires manufactured in the lot that could have a possible low adhesion problem should be removed from service; and (2) AD action should be taken to prevent loss of control of the airplane during landing operations because of failure of a Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tire. Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in other airplanes that are equipped with at least one Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tire (serial numbers as referenced in the actual AD) installed on the main landing gear, the FAA issued priority letter AD 95-24-10 to require replacing any of the affected tires with an FAA-approved tire. Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters issued on November 21, 1995, to all known U.S. operators of airplanes with a Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/ 10PR) tires installed on the main landing gear. These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective as to all persons. Comments Invited Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 95-CE-88-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: 95-24-10 Michelin Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-9500; Docket No. 95-CE-88-AD. Applicability: Part number (P/N) 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tires with the following serial numbers that are installed on the main landing gear of, but not limited to, Cessna Model 650 (Citation III, VI, and VII) airplanes that are certificated in any category: Serial Nos. 4279N00339 4279N00340 4279N00341 4279N00342 4279N00343 4279N00597 4279N00598 4279N00599 4279N00600 4279N00601 4280N00075 4280N00199 4280N00200 4280N00201 4280N00203 4280N00204 4280N00205 4280N00206 4280N00360 4280N00361 4282N00352 4283N00099 4283N00100 4283N00101 4283N00102 4283N00200 4283N00201 4283N00202 4283N00453 4283N00454 4283N00455 4283N00456 4284N00612 4284N00613 4284N00614 4284N00615 4284N00616 4285N00100 4285N00101 4285N00102 4285N00103 4285N00104 4285N00105 4285N00106 4285N00107 4285N00108 4285N00347 4285N00348 4285N00349 4285N00353 4285N00354 4285N00355 4285N00356 4285N00608 4285N00609 4286N00103 4286N00104 [[Page 2708]] 4286N00105 4286N00106 4286N00442 4286N00443 4286N00444 4286N00445 4286N00446 4286N00447 4286N00448 4286N00449 4286N00450 4286N00600 4286N00601 4286N00602 4286N00603 4286N00604 4286N00605 4286N00606 4286N00608 4286N00609 4287N00088 4287N00089 4287N00090 4287N00091 4287N00092 4287N00093 4287N00094 4287N00095 4287N00096 4287N00097 4287N00357 4287N00358 4287N00359 4287N00360 4287N00361 4287N00362 4287N00363 4287N00364 4288N00118 4288N00119 4288N00120 4288N00121 4288N00302 4288N00303 4288N00304 4288N00305 4288N00306 4288N00307 4290N00111 4290N00113 4290N00114 4290N00115 4290N00116 4290N00117 4290N00355 4290N00356 4290N00606 4290N00607 4290N00608 4290N00609 4290N00610 4290N00611 4290N00612 4291N00082 4291N00083 4291N00084 4291N00085 4291N00086 4291N00087 4291N00088 4291N00089 4291N00091 4291N00273 4291N00274 4291N00275 4291N00276 4291N00277 4291N00278 4291N00620 4291N00621 Note 1: This AD applies to each tire identified in the preceding applicability provision that is installed on an airplane, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. Compliance: Required prior to further flight after the effective date of this AD (see NOTE 2), except to those operators receiving this action by priority letter issued November 21, 1995, which made these actions effective immediately upon receipt. To prevent loss of control of the airplane during landing operations because of P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tire failure, accomplish the following: (a) Replace any of the P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tires identified in the Applicability section of this AD with an FAA- approved tire. (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta ACO. (d) Information that applies to this AD may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. (e) This amendment (39-9500) becomes effective on February 21, 1996, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 95-24-10, issued November 21, 1995, which contained the requirements of this amendment. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 23, 1996. John R. Colomy, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 96-1573 Filed 1-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U