[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 165 (Wednesday, August 26, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45419-45421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22814]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-185-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.
(CASA) Model C-212 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all CASA Model C-212 series
airplanes, that currently requires replacement of the cover of the
power control quadrant pedestal with a cover that incorporates slot
protection. This action would require repetitive inspections for
deterioration or damage of the slot protection installed in the cover
of the power control quadrant pedestal. This action also would require
eventual modification of the cover, which would constitute terminating
action for the repetitive inspections. This proposal is prompted by
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to prevent deterioration of the slot protection installed
in the cover of the power control quadrant pedestal, which could allow
foreign objects to jam or interfere with the power or trim control
system and result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 25, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-185-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
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 shall 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 summarizing 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 Number 98-NM-185-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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No.98-NM-185-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On June 23, 1988, the FAA issued AD 87-05-05 R2, amendment 39-5968
(53 FR 26039, July 11, 1988), applicable to all CASA Model C-212 series
airplanes, to require replacement of the cover of the power control
quadrant pedestal with a cover that incorporates slot protection. That
action was prompted by reports that additional protection was needed to
prevent foreign objects from dropping into the power control quadrant
pedestal, which could jam or interfere with the power or trim control
system. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent reduced
controllability of the airplane.
[[Page 45420]]
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of that AD, the slot protection that was
installed in the cover of the power control quadrant pedestal in
accordance with AD 87-05-05 R2 has been found to have deteriorated on
certain in-service airplanes. Such deterioration can result in foreign
objects dropping into the power control quadrant pedestal, and jamming
or interfering with the power or trim control system.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued CASA C-212 Service Bulletin SB-212-76-
08, dated April 12, 1993, which describes procedures for modification
of the cover of the power control quadrant pedestal by replacing the
existing slot protection with new, improved slot protection.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The
Direccion General de Aviacion (DGAC), which is the airworthiness
authority for Spain, classified this service bulletin as mandatory and
issued Spanish airworthiness directive 04/96, dated May 13, 1996, in
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
Spain. The Spanish airworthiness directive also requires repetitive
visual inspections to determine the condition of the slot protection.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Spain 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 DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would supersede AD 87-05-05 R2 to
require repetitive visual inspections for deterioration or damage
(e.g., deformation or cuts) of the slot protection installed in the
cover of the power control quadrant pedestal. This action also would
require eventual modification of the cover by replacing the existing
slot protection with new, improved slot protection, which would
constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The
modification would be required to be accomplished in accordance with
the service bulletin described previously.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Foreign AD
The proposed AD would differ from the parallel Spanish
airworthiness directive in that it would mandate accomplishment of the
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The Spanish
airworthiness directive requires accomplishment of that action only if
deterioration is found.
Mandating the terminating action is based on the FAA's
determination that long-term continued operational safety will be
better assured by modifications or design changes to remove the source
of the problem, rather than by repetitive inspections. Long-term
inspections may not be providing the degree of safety assurance
necessary for the transport airplane fleet. This, coupled with a better
understanding of the human factors associated with numerous continual
inspections, has led the FAA to consider placing less emphasis on
inspections and more emphasis on design improvements. The proposed
modification requirement is in consonance with these conditions.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 38 airplanes of U.S. registry that would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The inspection that is proposed in this AD action would take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $2,280, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The modification that is proposed in this AD action would take
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $1,200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the modification proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $52,440, or $1,380 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed
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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
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 is contained 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 removing amendment 39-5968 (53 FR
26039, July 11, 1988), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Docket 98-NM-185-AD.
Supersedes AD 87-05-05 R2, amendment 39-5968.
Applicability: Model C-212 series airplanes, as listed in CASA
C-212 Service Bulletin 212-76-08, dated April 12, 1993; certificated
in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
[[Page 45421]]
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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent deterioration of the slot protection installed in the
cover of the power control quadrant pedestal, which could allow
foreign objects to jam or interfere with the power or trim control
system and result in reduced controllability of the airplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 300 hours time-in-service or 3 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a visual
inspection for deterioration or damage of the slot protection
installed in the cover of the power control quadrant pedestal.
(1) If no deterioration or damage is detected, repeat the
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-
service or 3 months, whichever occurs first.
(2) If any deterioration or damage is detected, or if no slot
protection is installed, prior to further flight, accomplish the
modification required by paragraph (b) of this AD.
(b) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the cover of the power control quadrant pedestal by installing new,
improved slot protection, in accordance with CASA C-212 Service
Bulletin SB-212-76-08, dated April 12, 1993. Such modification
constitutes terminating action for the inspection requirements of
paragraph (a) of this AD.
(c)(1) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International
Branch, ANM-116.
(c)(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in
accordance with AD 87-05-05 R2, amendment 39-5968, are not
considered to be approved as alternative methods of compliance with
this AD.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(d) 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Spanish
airworthiness directive 04/96, dated May 13, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 19, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-22814 Filed 8-25-98; 8:45 am]
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