FR Doc E7-775

[Federal Register: January 24, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 15)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3050-3052]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24ja07-8]

[[Page 3050]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26134; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-56-AD;
Amendment 39-14898; AD 2007-02-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; EXTRA Flugzeugproduktions-und
Vertriebs-GmbH Models EA-300, EA-300S, EA-300L, and EA-300/200
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to
supersede AD 2002-21-11, which applies to certain EXTRA Flugzeugbau
GmbH (EXTRA) Model EA-300S airplanes. AD 2002-21-11 currently requires
you to inspect, using a fluorescent dye check penetrant method, the
upper longeron at the horizontal stabilizer attachment for cracks,
repair any cracks found, and modify the horizontal stabilizer. That AD
also requires a limit on operation to the Normal category until the
initial inspection and modification on airplanes with less than 200
hours time-in-service is done. Since we issued AD 2002-21-11, cracks
have been found on Models EA-300L and EA-300/200 airplanes.
Consequently, this AD adds airplanes to the Applicability section and
requires you to inspect and modify the upper longeron at the horizontal
stabilizer attachment. This AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority
for Germany. We are issuing this AD to detect, correct, and prevent
cracks in the upper longeron at the horizontal stabilizer attachment,
which could result in structural failure of the aft fuselage. This
failure could lead to loss of control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 28, 2007.
As of February 28, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact EXTRA
Flugzeugproduktions-und Vertriebs-GmbH, Schwarze Heide 21, D-46569
Huenxe, Germany; fax: (+49)-2858-9137-42.
To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
The docket number is FAA-2006-26134; Directorate

Identifier 2006-CE-56-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

On November 15, 2006, 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 certain EXTRA Flugzeugproduktions-und Vertriebs-GmbH
(EXTRA) Models EA-300, EA-300S, EA-300L, and EA-300/200 airplanes. This
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on November 22, 2006 (71 FR 67499). The NPRM proposed
to supersede AD 2002-21-11, Amendment 39-12917 (67 FR 65479, October
25, 2002), with a new AD that would require you to do the following:
Inspect the upper longeron at the horizontal stabilizer
attachment for cracks;
Reinforce the upper longeron in the area of the horizontal
stabilizer attachment; and
Install V-tubes to reinforce fuselage frame underneath the
horizontal stabilizer attachment bracket on Models EA-300S and EA-300L
airplanes only.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

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:
Are consistent with 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.

Differences Between the European Authority AD, the Service Bulletin,
and This AD

EASA AD No. 2006-0281, dated September 14, 2006, and EXTRA Service
Bulletin No. 300-2-95, Issue: F, Dated: July 10, 2006, allow 50-hour
repetitive inspections of the horizontal stabilizer attachment with the
option of installing the modification kits as a terminating action for
the repetitive inspections for certain affected airplanes. This AD does
not allow continued repetitive inspections.
The FAA has determined that long-term continued operational safety
is better assured by design changes that remove the source of the
problem rather than by repetitive inspections or other special
procedures.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 134 airplanes in the U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the inspection:

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Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 work-hours x $80 per hour = Not applicable................. $1,920................................. $1,920 x 134 = $257,280.
$1,920.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We estimate the following costs to do the modifications:

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Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 work-hours x $80 per hour = $200........................... $3,200 + $200 = $3,400................. $3,400 x 134 = $455,600.
$3,200.
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[[Page 3051]]

For airplanes still covered under warranty, the manufacturer will
provide warranty credit for up to 35 work-hours for the inspection and
modification work, as stated on page 8 of EXTRA Service Bulletin No.
300-2-95, Issue: F, Dated: July 10, 2006.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106 describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

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.
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
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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 ``Docket
No. FAA-2006-26134; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-56-AD'' in your
request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2002-21-11, Amendment 39-12917 (67 FR 65479, October 25, 2002) and
adding the following new AD:

2007-02-11 EXTRA Flugzeugproduktions-und Vertriebs-GmbH: Amendment
39-14898; Docket No. FAA-2006-26134; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-
56-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective on February 28, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-21-11, Amendment 39-12917.

Applicability

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Models Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EA-300................................. 01 through 62.
EA-300L................................ 01 through 71, 73 through 77,
79 through 83, 85 through 89,
91, and 92.
EA-300S................................ 01 through 29.
EA-300/200............................. 01 through 31 and 1032 through
1039.
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Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD is the result from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness
authority for Germany. The actions specified in this AD are intended
to detect, correct, and prevent cracks in the upper longeron at the
horizontal stabilizer attachment, which could result in structural
failure of the aft fuselage. This failure could lead to loss of
control.

Compliance

(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:

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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect, using a (i) For Models EA-300S Follow Part I of
fluorescent dye penetrant airplanes: Upon EXTRA Service
method, the upper longeron at accumulating 250 Bulletin No.
the horizontal stabilizer hours time-in-service 300-2-95,
attachment for cracks, as (TIS) after December Issue: F,
applicable. You may take 17, 2002 (the Dated: July 10,
``unless already done'' effective date of AD 2006.
credit for the inspections if 2002-21-11) or within
you previously used Extra the next 50 hours TIS
Service Bulletin No. 300-2-95 after February 28,
(pages 2-6 at Issue: C, dated 2007 (the effective
July 15, 1998; and pages 1 date of this AD),
and 7 through 11 at Issue: D, whichever occurs
dated January 30, 2001). first. (ii) For
Models EA-300, EA-
300L, and EA-300/200
airplanes: Within the
next 50 hours TIS
after February 28,
2007 (the effective
date of this AD).
(iii) For all
affected airplanes:
If the modifications
specified in Part II
and Part III of EXTRA
Service Bulletin No.
300-2-95, Issue: F,
Dated: July 10, 2006,
have already been
incorporated, no
further action is
required.

[[Page 3052]]

(2) If cracks are found during For all affected Follow Part II
the inspection required in airplanes: Before of EXTRA
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD further flight after Service
in areas A, B, and C (as the inspection Bulletin No.
shown in Figure 1 of EXTRA required in paragraph 300-2-95,
Service Bulletin No. 300-2- (e)(1) of this AD in Issue: F,
95, Issue: F, Dated: July 10, which cracks are Dated: July 10,
2006), weld the crack and found, unless already 2006.
modify the upper longeron at done.
the horizontal stabilizer
attachment by installing the
applicable modification kit
(or FAA-approved equivalent
parts).
(3) If no cracks are found For all affected Follow Part II
during the inspection airplanes: Within the of EXTRA
required in paragraph (e)(1) next 100 hours TIS Service
of this AD, modify the upper after February 28, Bulletin No.
longeron at the horizontal 2007 (the effective 300-2-95,
stabilizer attachment by date of this AD), Issue: F,
installing the applicable unless already done. Dated: July 10,
modification kit (or FAA- 2006.
approved equivalent parts).
(4) For Models EA-300S and EA- (i) For Model EA-300S: Follow Part III
300L airplanes only: Within the next 200 of EXTRA
Reinforce the fuselage frame hours TIS after Service
underneath the horizontal December 17, 2002 Bulletin No.
stabilizer main spar (the effective date 300-2-95,
attachment bracket by of AD 2002-21-11) or Issue: F,
installing the applicable within the next 100 Dated: July 10,
modification kit (or FAA- hours TIS after 2006.
approved equivalent parts). February 28, 2007
(the effective date
of this AD),
whichever occurs
first, unless already
done. (ii) For Model
EA-300L: Within the
next 100 hours TIS
after February 28,
2007 (the effective
date of this AD),
unless already done.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(f) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate,
FAA, ATTN: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 901 Locust, Room
301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax:
(816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(g) AMOCs approved for AD 2002-21-11 are approved for this AD.

Related Information

(h) The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2006-0281,
dated September 14, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-2-95, Issue: F,
Dated: July 10, 2006 to do the actions required by this AD, unless
the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact EXTRA
Flugzeugproduktions- und Vertriebs- GmbH, Schwarze Heide 21, D-46569
Huenxe, Germany; fax: (+49)-2858-9137-42.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on January 12, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-775 Filed 1-23-07; 8:45 am]

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