Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Models P 68 “OBSERVER”, P68 “OBSERVER 2”, and P68TC “OBSERVER” Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 233 (Monday, December 4, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75599-75601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30317]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-16-AD; Amendment 39-12012; AD 2000-24-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Models P 68 
``OBSERVER'', P68 ``OBSERVER 2'', and P68TC ``OBSERVER'' Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Vulcanair S.p.A. (Vulcanair) Models P 68 
``OBSERVER'', P68 ``OBSERVER 2'', and P68TC ``OBSERVER'' airplanes. 
This AD requires you to inspect the nose landing gear (NLG) upper strut 
for evidence of cracking (cracks or crack beginnings), and replace the 
NLG upper strut if you find evidence of cracking. This AD is the result 
of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for Italy. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent failure of the NLG upper strut caused by cracking 
in the area of the seeger retaining ring groove, which could result in 
loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 5, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
January 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Vulcanair S.p.A., Via G. Poscoli, 7, 80026 Casoria (Naples), 
Italy; telephone: +39-081-5918111; facsimile: +39-081-5918172. You may 
examine this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2000-CE-16-AD, 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.

[[Page 75600]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roman Gabrys, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione 
Civile (ENAC), which is the airworthiness authority for Italy, recently 
notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Vulcanair 
Models P 68 ``OBSERVER'', P68 ``OBSERVER 2'', and P68TC ``OBSERVER'' 
airplanes. The ENAC reports three instances of cracking of the nose 
landing gear (NLG) upper strut, part number 4.4173-1, in the area of 
the seeger retaining ring groove. Investigation of these instances 
reveals a work defect found during surface finishing within the groove. 
The groove is then susceptible to cracks after a hard landing.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Such 
cracking, if not detected and corrected, could result in failure of the 
NLG upper strut, which could result in 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 certain Vulcanair Models P 68 
``OBSERVER'', P68 ``OBSERVER 2'', and P68TC ``OBSERVER'' airplanes. 
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 22, 2000 (65 FR 57296). The 
NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the NLG upper strut for 
evidence of cracking (cracks or crack beginnings), and replace the NLG 
upper strut if you find evidence of cracking.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were afforded 
an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No 
comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination 
of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We determined that these minor corrections:

--will not change the meaning of the AD; and
--will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 15 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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane     airplane operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $600.  No parts required for    $600 per airplane......  $600  x  15 = $9,000.
                                        the inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need such replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total cost per
           Labor cost                 Parts cost           airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 workhours  x  $60 per hour =   $600 per airplane.  $1,200 per
 $600.                                                 airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A copy 
of the final 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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

    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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2000-24-05 Vulcanair S.P.A. (Partenavia Costruzioni Aeronauticas 
S.p.A previously held Type Certificate A31EU): Amendment 39-12012; 
Docket No. 2000-CE-16-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models P 68 ``OBSERVER'', P68 ``OBSERVER 2'', and P68TC ``OBSERVER'' 
airplanes, all serial numbers up to and including 400, that are 
certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the nose landing gear 
(NLG) upper strut caused by cracking in the area of the seeger 
retaining ring groove, which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

[[Page 75601]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                 Compliance time       Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect, using magnetic       Within the next     Do this inspection
 particle methods, the NLG upper   200 hours time-in-  in accordance
 strut, part number 4.4173-1 (or   service (TIS)       with the
 FAA-approved equivalent part      after January 5,    ACCOMPLISHMENT
 number), for evidence of          2001 (the           INSTRUCTIONS
 cracking (cracks or crack         effective date of   section of
 beginnings).                      this AD).           Vulcanair Service
                                                       Bulletiin No. 98,
                                                       dated July 31,
                                                       1999.
(2) If there is evidence of       Prior to further    Use the procedures
 cracking, replace the NLG upper   flight after the    in the
 strut with a new NLG upper        inspection where    maintenance
 strut, part number 4.4173-1 (or   evidence of         manual.
 FAA-approved equivalent part      cracking is found.
 number).
(3) Do not install any NLG upper  As of January 5,    Not Applicable.
 strut, part number 4.4173-1,      2001 (the
 unless it is new from the         effective date of
 factory, or has been inspected    this AD).
 as required in paragraph (d)(1)
 of this AD and is found to not
 have any evidence of cracking.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your 
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Roman Gabrys, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Vulcanair Service Bulletin No. 98, dated July 31, 1999. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by 
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get 
copies from Vulcanair S.p.A., Via G. Poscoli, 7, 80026 Casoria 
(Naples), Italy. You can look at copies at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, 
Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on January 5, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 2000-
004, dated January 10, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20, 2000.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30317 Filed 12-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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