[Federal Register: November 13, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 219)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64270-64273]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13no03-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-21-AD; Amendment 39-13361; AD 2003-22-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; AeroSpace Technologies of Australia Pty
Ltd. Models N22B and N24A Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
AeroSpace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd. (ASTA) Models N22B and
N24A airplanes. This AD requires you to visually inspect the ailerons
for damage and replace if necessary; adjust the engine power levers
aural warning microswitches; set flap extension and flap down operation
limitations; and fabricate and install cockpit flap extension and flap
down operation restriction placards. This AD is the result of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness
authority for Australia. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to
the aileron due to airplane operation and pre-existing and undetected
damage, which could result in failure of the aileron. Such failure
could lead to reduced or loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 23, 2003.
As of December 23, 2003, the Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed
in the regulation.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD
from Nomad Operations, Aerospace Support Division, Boeing Australia, PO
Box 767, Brisbane, QLD 4000 Australia; telephone 61 7 3306 3366;
facsimile 61 7 3306 3111.
You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-21-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Atmur, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5224; facsimile (562)
627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The Civil Aviation Safety
Authority (CASA), which is the airworthiness authority for Australia,
recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all ASTA
Models N22B and N24A airplanes. The CASA reports several incidents of
ailerons incurring damage during flight. Extensive tests and
[[Page 64271]]
analysis revealed that the cause of the damage to the ailerons is a
result of operation outside approved limits and undetected pre-existing
damage. This condition causes the aileron to flutter as well as damage
and failure.
The CASA lowered the operational limits of the affected airplanes
in order to prevent damage from occurring. Additional reports of
aileron flutter have been received even when operating within these
lower approved limits.
As a precautionary measure, the CASA is further restricting flight
operations.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If this
condition is not corrected, it could result in aileron failure. Such
failure could lead to reduced or loss of control of the airplane.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to
include an AD that would apply to all ASTA Models N22B and N24A
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 18, 2003 (68 FR 49390).
The NPRM proposed to visually inspect the ailerons for damage and
replace if necessary; adjust the engine power levers aural warning
microswitches; set flap extension and flap down operation limitations;
and fabricate and install cockpit flap extension and flap down
operation restriction placards.
Comments
Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the
opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We received
no comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the
public.
Conclusion
What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10,
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997,
July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now
includes material that relates to altered products, special flight
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD
actions.
Costs of Compliance
How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 10 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the
inspection:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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1 workhour x $60 per hour = $60.... Not applicable........ $60 10 x $60 = $600
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We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of this
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that
may need such repair/replacement:
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Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplane
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10 workhours x $60 per hour = $600............................... $1,250 $600 + $1,250 = $1,850
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We estimate the following costs to accomplish the modifications:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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10 workhours x $60 per hour = $600. $100.................. $700 $700 x 10 = $7,000
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Regulatory Findings
Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
This AD will 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.
Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
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. 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-21-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
[[Page 64272]]
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under 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
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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2003-22-13 Aerospace Technologies of Australia PTY Ltd.: Amendment
39-13361; Docket No. 2003-CE-21-AD.
When Does This AD Become Effective?
(a) This AD becomes effective on December 23, 2003.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects
Models N22B and N24A airplanes, all serial numbers, that are
certificated in any category.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for
Australia. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent
damage to the aileron due to airplane operation and pre-existing and
undetected damage, which could result in failure of the aileron.
Such failure could lead to reduced or loss of control of the
airplane.
What Must I Do to Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Visually inspect the Inspect within the In accordance with
left-hand (LH) and right- next 50 hours time- the applicable
hand (RH) ailerons for in-service (TIS) maintenance manual.
damage (i.e., distortion, after December 23,
bending, impact marks). 2003 (the effective
Repair or replace any date of this AD),
damaged aileron found. unless already
accomplished.
Repair or replace
prior to further
flight after the
inspection.
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(2) Adjust the engine power Within the next 50 In accordance with
lever actuated landing gear hours time-in- Nomad Alert Service
``up'' aural warning service (TIS) after Bulletin ANMD-57-
microswitches and then December 23, 2003 18, dated December
perform a ground test. If (the effective date 19, 2002, and the
deficiencies are detected of this AD), unless applicable
during the ground test, already maintenance manual.
make the necessary accomplished.
adjustments.
(3) For Model N22B Within the next 50 In accordance with
airplanes:. hours time-in- Nomad Alert Service
(i) fabricate placards that service (TIS) after Bulletin ANMD-57-
incorporate the following December 23, 2003 18, dated December
words (using at least \1/ the effective date 19, 2002.
18\-inch letters) and of this AD), unless Accomplish the
install these placards on already limitations of
the instrument panel within accomplished. paragraphs
the pilot's clear view:. (e)(3)(ii)(A) and
(A) ``RECOMMENDED APPROACH (e)(3)(ii)(B) of
FLAPS 10 OR 20 DEG AT 90 this AD by
KIAS'';. inserting a copy of
(B) ``USE 10[deg] OR 20[deg] the AD into the
FLAP FOR TAKE-OFF AND Limitations Section
LANDING--WARNING--DO NOT of the flight
EXCEED 20[deg] FLAP manual. The owner/
EXTENSION DURING FLIGHT, operator holding at
LANDING GEAR UP WARNING least a private
WILL INITIATE FOR A TORQUE pilot certificate
PRESSURE OF LESS THAN 30 as authorized by
PSI''; and. section 43.7 of the
(ii) incorporate the Federal Aviation
following information into Regulations (14 CFR
the limitation section of 43.7) may
the Airplane Flight Manual accomplish this
(AFM):. flight manual
(A) limit the maximum flap insertion and the
extension to 20 degrees; placard
and. requirements of
(B) limit flaps down paragraph
operations for landing to (e)(3)(i)(A) and
10[deg] or 20[deg] flap.. (e)(3)(i)(B) of
this AD. Make an
entry into the
aircraft records
showing compliance
with these portions
of the AD in
accordance with
section 43.9 of the
Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR
43.9).
-----------------------------
(4) For Model N24A Within the next 50 In accordance with
airplanes:. hours time-in- Nomad Alert Service
(i) fabricate a placard that service (TIS) after Bulletin ANMD-57-
incorporates the following December 23, 2003 18, dated December
words (using at least \1/8\- (the effective date 19, 2002.
inch letters) and install of this AD), unless Accomplish the
this placard on the already limitations of
instrument panel within the accomplished. paragraphs
pilot's clear view: ``USE (e)(4)(ii)(A) and
10[deg] FLAP FOR TAKE-OFF (e)(4)(ii)(B) of
and LANDING--WARNING--DO this AD by
NOT EXCEED 10[deg] FLAP inserting a copy of
EXTENSION DURING FLIGHT, the AD into the
LANDING GEAR UP WARNING Limitations Section
WILL INITIATE FOR A TORQUE of the flight
PRESSURE OF LESS THAN 30 manual. The owner/
PSI''; and. operator holding at
(ii) incorporate the least a private
following information into pilot certificate
the limitation section of as authorized by
the Airplane Flight Manual section 43.7 of the
(AFM):. Federal Aviation
(A) limit the maximum flap Regulations (14 CFR
extension to 10 degrees; 43.7) may
and. accomplish this
(B) limit flaps down flight manual
operations for landing to insertion and the
10[deg] flap.. placard requirement
of paragraph
(e)(4)(i) of this
AD. Make an entry
into the aircraft
records showing
compliance with
these portions of
the AD in
accordance with
section 43.9 of the
Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR
43.9).
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[[Page 64273]]
What About Alternative Methods of Compliance?
(f) You may request a different method of compliance or a
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in
14 CFR 39.13. Send your request to the Manager, Standards Office,
Small Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already
approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Ron Atmur,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone
(562) 627-5224; facsimile (562) 627-5210.
Is There Material Incorporated by Reference?
(g) You must do the actions required by this AD per Nomad Alert
Service Bulletin ANMD-57-18, dated December 19, 2002. The Director
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of
this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. You may get a copy from Nomad Operations, Aerospace Support
Division, Boeing Australia, PO Box 767, Brisbane, QLD 4000
Australia; telephone 61 7 3306 3366; facsimile 61 7 3306 3111. You
may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(h) Australian AD/GAF-N22/69, Amendment 4, dated February 27,
2003.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 31, 2003.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-27921 Filed 11-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U