[Federal Register: December 26, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 247)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 77262-77264]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26de06-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26492; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-77-AD;
Amendment 39-14861; AD 2006-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Design Limited (Type
Certificate No. A48EU formerly held by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS PIERRE
ROBIN), Model R2160 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Alpha Aviation Model R2160 airplanes. This AD requires you to
inspect the fuel pressure indication system for leakage at the end of
the adapter in the fuel pressure indication system. This AD results
from the possibility of fuel leakage at the end of the adapter in the
fuel pressure indication system. We are issuing this AD to detect,
correct, and prevent fuel leaks in the fuel pressure indicating system.
This failure could allow fuel to leak near the exhaust manifold and
lead to a fire.
[[Page 77263]]
DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 30, 2007.
We must receive any comments on this AD by January 25, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
To get the service information identified in this AD, contact Alpha
Aviation Ltd., Ingram Road, Hamilton Airport RD 2, Hamilton 2021, New
Zealand; phone: 011 64 7 843 7070; fax: 011 64 7 843 8040.
To view the comments to this AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. The
docket number is FAA-2006-26492; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-77-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816)
329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA), which is the
airworthiness authority for New Zealand, recently notified FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Alpha Aviation Model R2160
airplanes. The CAA reports that there is the possibility of fuel
leakage at the end of the adapter in the fuel pressure indication
system.
This condition, if not corrected, could allow fuel leaks near the
exhaust manifold and result in a fire.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
These Alpha Aviation Model R2160 airplanes were manufactured in
France, their state of design authority is New Zealand, and they are
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.
Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept us
informed of the situation described above. We are issuing this AD
because we evaluated all the information and determined the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design. This AD requires periodic inspection
of the adaptor for leaks and repair if a leak is found.
Cost Impact
None of the Alpha Aviation Model R2160 airplanes affected by this
action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by
this AD action. However, the FAA considers this rule necessary to
ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of
these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register.
Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register, accomplishment of the required action would take
approximately 1 work-hour at an average labor rate of $80 per work-
hour. There are no parts required for this AD. Based on these figures,
the total cost impact of this AD would be $80 per airplane that would
become registered in the United States.
Comments Invited
Because there are no affected airplanes on the U.S. register, it
has no adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any
person. Therefore, prior notice and public procedures hereon are
unnecessary. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26492; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-77-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light
of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive concerning this AD.
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
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We 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 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket that contains the AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is
located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
[[Page 77264]]
the FAA amends 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2006-26-03 Alpha Aviation Design Limited (Type Certificate No. A48EU
formerly held by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS PIERRE ROBIN): Amendment
39-14861; Docket No. FAA-2006-26492; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-
77-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective on January 30, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model R2160 airplanes, serial numbers
142, 143, 144, 147, 148, and 151 through 155, that are certificated
in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is the result of the possibility of fuel leakage at
the end of the adapter in the fuel pressure indication system. We
are issuing this AD to detect and correct fuel leaks in the fuel
pressure indicating system. This failure could allow fuel to leak
near the exhaust manifold and lead to a fire.
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 the fuel pressure Before further Perform a visual
system indication adaptor (part flight after inspection.
number 52.46.11.000 or FAA January 30, 2007 Figure 1 of Robin
approved equivalent part (the effective Aviation Service
number) for indication of fuel date of this AD) Letter No 37 rev.
leakage. and thereafter at 2 dated April 4,
intervals not to 2000, shows a
exceed 50 hours view of the fuel
time-in-service. pressure
indicator system.
(2) If any leak is found, repair Before further Perform a repair
the leak. flight after program approved
inspection specifically for
required by this AD by the
paragraph (e)(1) FAA.
of this AD.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(f) The Manager, Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Karl Schletzbaum,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 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.
Related Information
(g) This AD is related to the Civil Aviation Authority of New
Zealand AD DCA/R2000/33, dated June 29, 2006, which references
Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) AD F-2001-391(a),
dated October 3, 2001.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) None.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 15, 2006.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-21923 Filed 12-22-06; 8:45 am]
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