[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16474-16475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8423]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-127-AD; Amendment 39-9987; AD 97-07-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.
(CASA) Model CN-235 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain CASA Model CN-235 series airplanes, that requires
replacement of the center wing attachment rods with new rods. This
amendment is prompted by a report from the manufacturer indicating that
these rods failed during a full-scale fatigue test. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of these
rods, which consequently could reduce the structural integrity of the
wing-to-fuselage attachment.
DATES: Effective May 12, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 12, 1997.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain.
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Dunn, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2799; fax (206) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain CASA Model CN-235 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 27, 1997 (62
FR 3834). That action proposed to require replacement of the center
wing attachment rods with new rods.
[[Page 16475]]
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 1 CASA Model CN-235 series airplane of U.S.
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately
12 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $1,485 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,205 per
airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
97-07-13 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
9987. Docket 96-NM-127-AD.
Applicability: Model CN-235 series airplanes; as listed in CASA
Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21M, Revision 1, dated November 21, 1994
(military airplanes), and CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21,
Revision 3, dated November 30, 1994 (non-military airplanes);
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 (b) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent fatigue from causing the center wing attachment rods
to fail, which consequently could reduce the structural integrity of
the wing-to-fuselage attachment, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total landings, replace
center wing attachment rods having CASA part number (P/N) 35-22058-
0003 or 35-22067-0001 with new rods having CASA P/N 35-22067-0003,
in accordance with CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21M, Revision 1,
dated November 21, 1994 (for military airplanes); or CASA Service
Bulletin SB-235-53-21, Revision 3, dated November 30, 1994 (for non-
military airplanes); as applicable.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) 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.
(d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with CASA
Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21M, Revision 1, dated November 21, 1994;
or CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21, Revision 3, dated November
30, 1994; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. Copies may
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on May 12, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 27, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-8423 Filed 4-4-97; 8:45 am]
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