[Federal Register: August 13, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 155)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 40781-40783]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au09-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0745; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-036-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; American Champion Aircraft Corp. Models
7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 7KCAB, 8KCAB, and 8GCBC Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
American Champion Aircraft Corp. Models 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 7KCAB,
8KCAB, and 8GCBC airplanes, manufactured prior to 1989 and equipped
with folding rear seat backs. This proposed AD would require inspection
of the rear seat back hinge areas for cracking and excessive elongation
of the rear seat hinge bolt hole and, if cracking or excessive
elongation is found, replacement of the rear seat frame. This proposed
AD results from an occurrence of the rear seat hinge area failing in
flight. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the
rear seat back hinge area and excessive elongation of the rear seat
hinge bolt hole, either of which could result in failure of the seat
back. This failure could lead to a rear-seated pilot or passenger
inadvertently interfering with the control stick while attempting to
not roll to the rear of the airplane upon seat back failure.
Consequently, this failure could result in loss of control.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 28,
2009.
[[Page 40782]]
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
American Champion Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 37, 32032 Washington
Ave., Rochester, Wisconsin 53167; telephone: (262) 534-6315; fax: (262)
534-2395; Internet: http://www.amerchampionaircraft.com/Technical/
Technical.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wess Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, 2300
East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone:
(847) 294-8113; fax: (847) 294-7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2009-0745; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-036-AD'' at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive concerning this proposed AD.
Discussion
We received information that during a training flight on an
American Champion Aircraft Corp. Model 8KCAB airplane the rear seat
hinge failed. While performing spins, with the student pilot in the
front seat and the instructor pilot in the rear seat, the rear seat
hinge broke, which resulted in the rear seat back failing. The
instructor pilot partially fell into the baggage area. The student and
the instructor were able to recover from the spins and landed safely at
the airport.
The Models 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 7KCAB, and 8GCBC airplanes incorporate the
same or similar seat configuration.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the
rear seat back. This failure could lead to a rear-seated pilot or
passenger inadvertently interfering with the control stick while
attempting to not roll to the rear of the airplane upon seat back
failure. Consequently, this failure could result in loss of control.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed American Champion Aircraft Corp. Service Letter
No. 431, dated July 20, 2009.
The service information describes procedures for inspecting the
rear seat hinge areas for cracking and excessive elongation of the rear
seat hinge bolt and, if cracking or excessive elongation is found,
replacing the rear seat frame.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD
would require inspecting the rear seat back hinge areas for cracking
and excessive elongation of the rear seat hinge bolt hole and, if
cracking or excessive elongation is found, replacing the rear seat
frame.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 2,000 airplanes in
the U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:
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Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
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.5 work-hour x $80 per hour = $40............ Not applicable................. $40 $80,000
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need
this replacement:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane
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1.5 work-hours x $80 per Remanufactured seat Remanufactured seat
hour = $120. $200, New standard $320, New standard
seat $645, New wide seat $765, New wide
seat $765. seat $885.
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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 have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
[[Page 40783]]
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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on
the Internet at http://www.regulations.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) 647-5527)
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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
American Champion Aircraft Corp.: Docket No. FAA-2009-0745;
Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-036-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by September 28, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Models 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 7KCAB, 8KCAB,
and 8GCBC airplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
(1) Manufactured prior to 1989;
(2) Equipped with folding rear seat backs; and
(3) Certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from an occurrence of the rear seat frame
failing in flight. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
cracking of the rear seat back hinge area and excessive elongation
of the rear seat hinge bolt hole, which could result in failure of
the rear seat back. This failure could lead to a rear-seated pilot
or passenger inadvertently interfering with the control stick while
attempting to not roll to the rear of the airplane upon seat back
failure. Consequently, this failure could result in 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 the rear seat Within the next 25 Follow American
back hinge area for hours time-in- Champion Aircraft
cracking and elongation of service (TIS) after Corp. Service
the rear seat hinge bolt the effective date Letter No. 431,
hole. of this AD and dated July 20,
repetitively 2009.
thereafter at
intervals not to
exceed every 100
hours TIS or every
12 months,
whichever occurs
first.
(2) If cracking or excessive Before further Follow American
elongation of the rear seat flight after the Champion Aircraft
bolt hole is found during inspection where Corp. Service
any inspection required in cracking or Letter No. 431,
paragraph (e)(1) of this excessive dated July 20,
AD, replace the seat frame elongation of the 2009.
with a factory rear seat bolt hole
remanufactured seat frame, is found.
a new part number (P/N) 7-
1500 (standard) seat frame,
or a new P/N 7-1501 (wide)
seat frame. Replacement of
the seat frame terminates
the repetitive inspections
requirements of this AD.
(3) You may at any time Not applicable...... Follow American
replace the rear seat frame Champion Aircraft
with a factory Corp. Service
remanufactured seat frame, Letter No. 431,
a new part number (P/N) 7- dated July 20,
1500 (standard) seat frame, 2009.
or a new P/N 7-1501 (wide)
seat frame to terminate the
repetitive inspection
requirements of this AD.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(f) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Wess
Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des
Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-8113; fax: (847) 294-
7834. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the
AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in
the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI,
your local FSDO.
Related Information
(g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this
AD, contact American Champion Aircraft Corporation, P.O Box 37,
32032 Washington Ave., Rochester, Wisconsin 53167; telephone: (262)
534-6315; fax: (262) 534-2395; Internet: http://
www.amerchampionaircraft.com/Technical/Technical.html. To view the
AD docket, go to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or on the Internet at
http://www.regulations.gov.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 7, 2009.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-19448 Filed 8-12-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P