[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17969-17970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9585]
[[Page 17969]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-143-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; AERMACCHI, S.p.A. Models F.260, F.260B,
F.260C, and F.260D Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain AERMACCHI, S.p.A. (AERMACCHI) Models
F.260, F.260B, F.260C, and F.260D airplanes. The proposed AD would
require marking the airspeed indicator to indicate the correct flap
operation range and stall speed of the airplane. The proposed AD is the
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued
by the airworthiness authority for Italy. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent the airplane from stalling at an
airspeed higher than designed, which could result in loss of control of
the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 12, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-143-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays
excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from AERMACCHI, Product Support, Via Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto
Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-929117; facsimile: +39-331-
922525. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at
the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David O. Keenan, Project Officer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-143-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-143-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Registro Aeronautico Italiano (R.A.I.), which is the
airworthiness authority for Italy, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain AERMACCHI Models F.260, F.260B,
F.260C, and F.260D airplanes. The R.A.I. reports that a discrepancy was
found in the stall speed of one of these airplanes during a
manufacturer's flight test. The flight test resulted in the discovery
that the airplane stalls at an airspeed 5 knots higher than is
indicated on the airspeed indicator. Specifically, the arc that
indicates the stall speed and flap operation range is incorrect.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in the airplane
stalling at a higher airspeed than designed, which could result in loss
of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
AERMACCHI has issued SIAI Marchetti, Sp.A. Service Bulletin No.
260B54, dated May 28, 1993, which specifies procedures for ensuring the
correct stall speed and flap operation range by marking the airspeed
indicator with a black arc between the numbers 0 and 63.5.
The R.A.I. classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
Italian AD 93-220, dated July 29, 1993, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Italy.
The FAA's Determination
This airplane model is manufactured in Italy and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the R.A.I. has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the R.A.I.; reviewed all
available information, including the service information referenced
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other AERMACCHI Models F.260, F.260B, F.260C, and
F.260D airplanes of the same type design registered in the United
States, the FAA is proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require
marking the airspeed indicator with a black arc to indicate the correct
stall speed and flap operation range of the airplane. Accomplishment of
the proposed action would be in accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A.
Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated May 28, 1993.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 60 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1
workhour per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Materials for marking
the airspeed indicator can be obtained locally. Based on these figures,
the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $3,600 or $60 per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and
[[Page 17970]]
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 proposal would 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) if promulgated,
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 copy of the draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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 a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
AERMACCHI, S.P.A.: Docket No. 97-CE-143-AD.
Applicability: Models F.260, F.260B, F.260C, and F.260D
airplanes, serial numbers 001 through 848, certificated in any
category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, 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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent stalling the airplane at an airspeed higher than
anticipated, which could result in loss of control of the airplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Mark the airspeed indicator with a black arc between the
numbers 0 and 63.5 in accordance with the Instructions section of
SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated May 28,
1993.
(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, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut,
suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to SIAI Marchetti
Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated May 28, 1993, should be directed
to AERMACCHI, Product Support, Via Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto
Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-929117; facsimile: +39-331-
922525. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 93-
220, dated July 29, 1993.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 3, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9585 Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am]
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