Airworthiness Directives; American Champion Aircraft Corporation 7, 8, and 11 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30307-30310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14143]



[[Page 30307]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-121-AD; Amendment 39-12255; AD 2000-25-02 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; American Champion Aircraft Corporation 
7, 8, and 11 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment clarifies information contained in 
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-25-02, which concerns certain 
American Champion Aircraft Corporation (ACAC) 7, 8, and 11 series 
airplanes. This AD currently requires inspecting the front and rear 
wood spars for damage, including installing any as-needed inspection 
holes; and repairing or replacing any damaged wood spar. We incorrectly 
referenced the initial inspection compliance time of this AD as 
``whichever occurs later.'' The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
contained the correct reference of ``whichever occurs first.'' This 
action revises the AD to reflect the correct reference in the 
compliance time. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
detect and repair or replace damaged wood wing spars. Continued 
operation with such damage could progress to in-flight structural 
failure of the wing with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of this AD is July 13, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of American Champion Aircraft Corporation 
(ACAC), Service Letter 406, Revision A, dated May 6, 1998, as of 
January 19, 2001 (65 FR 78905, December 18, 2000).

ADDRESSES: You may get service information referenced in this AD from 
the American Champion Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 37, 32032 
Washington Avenue, Highway D, Rochester, Wisconsin 53167; internet 
address: www.amerchampionaircraft.com. You may examine this information 
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-121-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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William Rohder, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 E. Devon 
Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7697; 
facsimile: (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Has FAA taken any action to this point? A review of the service 
history of ACAC 7, 8, and 11 series airplanes that incorporate wood 
wing spars caused FAA to issue AD 2000-25-02, Amendment 39-12036 (65 FR 
78905, December 18, 2000), which applies to certain American Champion 
Aircraft Corporation (ACAC) 7, 8, and 11 series airplanes. The AD 
currently requires inspecting the front and rear wood spars for damage, 
including installing any as-needed inspection holes; and repairing or 
replacing any damaged wood spar.
    What has happened since AD 2000-25-02 to initiate this action? The 
compliance time of the initial inspection of AD 2000-25-02 is written 
as at the first annual inspection that occurs 30 calendar days or more 
after the effective date of the AD or within 13 calendar months after 
the effective date of the AD, whichever occurs later. We incorrectly 
referenced this compliance time as ``whichever occurs later.'' The 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) (64 FR 29972, June 4, 1999) 
contained the correct reference of ``whichever occurs first.''
    What has FAA determined? Consequently, FAA has determined that AD 
2000-25-02 should be revised to ensure that the inspections and 
necessary replacements are accomplished in a timely manner.

Correction of Publication

    What is the intent of this action? This document clarifies the 
intent of the compliance time by changing the ``whichever occurs 
later'' reference of the initial compliance time of AD 2000-25-02 to 
``whichever occurs first.'' This document also adds the amendment to 
section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13).
    This action only clarifies the intent of AD 2000-25-02 and makes a 
change to reflect what was originally proposed. It has no adverse 
economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person than 
would have been necessary to accomplish the AD. Therefore, FAA has 
determined that prior notice and opportunity for public comment are 
unnecessary.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2000-25-02, Amendment 39-12036 (65 FR 78905, December 18, 2000), and by 
adding a new AD to read as follows:

2000-25-02 R1  American Champion Aircraft Company (ACAC): Amendment 
39-12255; Docket No. 98-CE-121-AD; Revises AD 2000-25-02, Amendment 
39-12036; which superseded AD 98-05-04, Amendment 39-10365 (63 FR 
10297, March 3, 1998).

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD applies to 
the following airplane models, all serial numbers, certificated in 
any category, that are equipped with wood wing spars:
    (1) Group 1 airplanes: ACAC Models 7AC, 7ACA, S7AC, 7BCM (L-
16A), 7CCM (L-16B), S7CCM, 7DC, S7DC, 7EC, S7EC, 7FC, 7JC, 11AC, 
S11AC, 11BC, S11BC, 11CC, and S11CC airplanes that have not been 
modified to incorporate an engine with greater than 90 horsepower.
    (2) Group 2 airplanes: ACAC Models 7ECA, 7GC, 7GCA, 7GCAA, 7GCB, 
7GCBA, 7GCBC, 7HC, 7KC, 7KCAB, 8GCBC, and 8KCAB airplanes; and any 
of the airplane models referenced in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD 
that have been modified to incorporate an engine with greater than 
90 horsepower.
    (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 detect and repair or replace damaged wood 
wing spars. Continued operation with such cracks and damage could 
progress to an in-flight structural failure of the wing with 
consequent loss of control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must be accomplished on all Group 1 airplanes 
to address this problem? For any Group 1 airplane as referenced in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, the following must be accomplished to 
address the problem:

[[Page 30308]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Action                Compliance time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspection Requirements:  Initially inspect at  Accomplish in
 Inspect (detailed visual)     the first annual      accordance with the
 the entire length of the      inspection that       instructions in
 front and rear wood wing      occurs 30 calendar    ACAC Service Letter
 spars for cracks,             days or more after    No. 406, Revision
 compression cracks,           July 13, 2001 (the    A, dated May 6,
 longitudinal cracks through   effective date of     1998. This service
 the boltholes or nail         this AD revision)     bulletin specifies
 holes, or loose or missing    or within the next    as an FAA-approved
 rib nails. We will refer to   13 calendar months    inspection option
 these conditions as damage    after January 19,     using a high-
 throughout the rest of this   2001 (the effective   intensity flexible
 section.                      date of AD 2000-25-   light (e.g., ``Bend-
                               02), whichever        A-Light''). A
                               occurs first.         regular flashlight
                                                     must not be used
                                                     for this portion of
                                                     the inspection.
                                                     Alternative FAA-
                                                     approved inspection
                                                     options are listed
                                                     in this service
                                                     bulletin.
(2) Additional Inspection     Prior to further      Accomplish in
 Requirements: If, after       flight after each     accordance with the
 January 19, 2001 (the         accident/incident     instructions in
 effective date of AD 2000-    that involved wing    ACAC Service Letter
 25-02), any airplane is       damage.               No. 406, Revision
 involved in an accident/                            A, dated May 6,
 incident that involves wing                         1998. This service
 damage (e.g., wing surface                          bulletin specifies
 deformations such as                                as an FAA-approved
 abrasions, gouges,                                  inspection option
 scratches, or dents, etc.)                          using a high-
 accomplish the inspection                           intensity flexible
 required in paragraph                               light (e.g., ``Bend-
 (d)(1) of this Ad.                                  A-Light''). A
                                                     regular flashlight
                                                     must not be used
                                                     for this portion of
                                                     the inspection.
                                                     Alternative FAA-
                                                     approved inspection
                                                     options are listed
                                                     in this service
                                                     bulletin.
(3) Replacement               Prior to further      In accordance with
 Requirements: If any damage   flight after the      Advisory Circular
 is found during any           inspection where      (AC) 43.13-1B,
 inspection required by this   the damage is found.  Acceptable Methods,
 AD, repair or replace the                           Techniques, and
 wood spar.                                          Practices; or other
                                                     data that is FAA-
                                                     approved for wing
                                                     spar repair or
                                                     replacement.
(4) Reporting Requirements:   Within 10 days after  Mail the information
 If any damage is found        the inspection        to: FAA, Chicago
 during any inspection         where the damage      Aircraft
 required by this AD, submit   was found or within   Certification
 a Malfunction or Defect       10 days after         Office (ACO),
 Report (M or D), FAA Form     January 19, 2001      Attention: Docket
 8010-4, to the FAA.           (the effective date   No. 98-CE-121-AD,
                               of AD 2000-25-02),    2300 E. Devon
                               whichever occurs      Avenue, Des
                               later..               Plaines, Illinois
                                                     60018; facsimile:
                                                     (847) 294-7834. You
                                                     may also file
                                                     electronically as
                                                     discussed in this
                                                     AD.
(i) Include the airplane
 model and serial number,
 the extent of the damage
 (location and type), and
 the number of total hours
 time-in-service (TIS) on
 the damaged wing.
(ii) You may submit M or D
 reports electronically by
 accessing the FAA AFS-600
 web page at http://www.mmac.jccbi.gov/afs/afs600 afs600. Because you will
 lose access to the report
 once you electronically
 submit it, we recommend
 that you print two copies
 prior to submitting the
 report and forward one to
 the Chicago ACO and keep
 the other for your records.
(iii) The Office of
 Management and Budget (OMB)
 approved the information
 collection requirements
 contained in this
 regulation under the
 provisions of the Paperwork
 Reduction Act of 1980 (14
 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The
 OMB assigned this approval
 Control Number 2120-0056.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) What actions must be accomplished on all Group 2 airplanes 
to address this problem? For any Group 2 airplane as referenced in 
paragraph (a)(2) of this AD, the following must be accomplished to 
address the problem:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Action                Compliance time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspection Requirements:  Initially inspect at  Accomplish in
 Inspect (detailed visual)     the first annual      accordance with the
 the entire length of the      inspection that       instructions in
 front and rear wood wing      occurs 30 calendar    American Champion
 spars for cracks,             days or more after    Aircraft
 compression cracks,           July 13, 2001 (the    Corporation (ACAC)
 longitudinal cracks through   effective date of     Service Letter No.
 the boltholes or nail         this AD revision)     406, Revision A,
 holes, or loose or missing    or within the next    dated May 6, 1998.
 rib nails. We will refer to   13 calendar months    This service
 these conditions as damage    after January 19,     bulletin specifies
 throughout the rest of this   2001 (the effective   an FAA-approved
 section.                      date of AD 2000-25-   inspection option
                               02), whichever        using a high-
                               occurs first.         intensity flexible
                               Repetitively          light (e.g., ``Bend-
                               inspect thereafter    A-Light''). A
                               at intervals not to   regular flashlight
                               exceed 500 hours      must not be used
                               time-in-service       for this portion of
                               (TIS) or 12           the inspection.
                               calendar months,      Alternative FAA
                               whichever occurs      approved inspection
                               first.                options are listed
                                                     in this service
                                                     bulletin.

[[Page 30309]]

 
(2) Additional Inspection     Prior to further      Accomplish in
 Requirements: If, after       flight after each     accordance with the
 January 19, 2001 (the         accident/incident     instructions in
 effective date of AD 2000-    that involved wing    American Champion
 25-02), any airplane is       damage.               Aircraft
 involved in an accident/                            Corporation (ACAC)
 incident that involves wing                         Service Letter No.
 damage (e.g., wing surface                          406, Revision A,
 deformations such as                                dated May 6, 1998.
 abrasions, gouges,                                  This service
 scratches, or dents, etc.),                         bulletin specifies
 accomplish the inspection                           an FAA-approved
 required in paragraph                               inspection option
 (e)(1) of this AD.                                  using a high-
                                                     intensity flexible
                                                     light (e.g., ``Bend-
                                                     A-Light''). A
                                                     regular flashlight
                                                     must not be used
                                                     for this portion of
                                                     the inspection.
                                                     Alternative FAA-
                                                     approved inspection
                                                     options are listed
                                                     in this service
                                                     bulletin.
(3) Replacement               Prior to further      In accordance with
 Requirements: If any damage   flight after the      Advisory Circular
 is found during any           inspection where      (AC) 43.13-1B,
 inspection required by this   the damage is found.  Acceptable Methods,
 AD, repair or replace the                           Techniques, and
 wood spar.                                          Practices; or other
                                                     data that is FAA-
                                                     approved for wing
                                                     spar repair or
                                                     replacement.
(4) Reporting Requirement:    Within 10 days after  Mail the information
 If any damage is found        the inspection        to: FAA, Chicago
 during any inspection         where the damage      Aircraft
 required by this AD, submit   was found or within   Certification
 a Malfunction or Defect       10 days after         Office (ACO),
 Report (M or D), FAA Form     January 19, 2001      Attention: Docket
 8010-4, to the FAA.           (the effective date   98-CE-121-AD, 2300
                               of AD 2000-25-02),    E. Devon Avenue,
                               whichever occurs      Des Plaines,
                               later.                Illinois 60018;
                                                     facsimile: (847)
                                                     294-7834. You may
                                                     also file
                                                     electronically as
                                                     discussed in this
                                                     AD.
(i) Include the airplane
 model and serial number,
 the extent of the damage
 (location and type), and
 the number of total TIS on
 the damaged wing.
(ii) You may submit M or D
 reports electronically by
 accessing the FAA AFS-600
 web page at http://www.mmac.jccbi.gov/afs/afs600 afs600. Because you will
 lose access to the report
 once you electronically
 submit it, we recommend
 printing two copies prior
 to submitting the report
 and forward one to the
 Chicago ACO and keep the
 other for your records.
(iii) The Office of
 Management and Budget (OMB)
 approved the information
 collection requirements
 contained in this
 regulation under the
 provisions of the Paperwork
 Reduction Act of 1980 (14
 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The
 OMB assigned this approval
 Control Number 2120-0056.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) Can I comply with this AD in any other way?
    (1) You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust 
the compliance time if:
    (i) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (ii) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager.
    (2) ACAC Service Letter 406, Revision A, and ACAC Service Letter 
417, Revision C, both dated May 6, 1998, specify additional 
inspection and installation alternatives over that included in the 
original issue of these service letters. All inspection and 
installation alternatives presented in these service letters are 
acceptable for accomplishing the applicable actions of this AD.
    (3) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance 
with AD 2000-25-02 and AD 98-05-04 are approved as alternative 
methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note: 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 (f) 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.

    (g) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact the Chicago Aircraft 
Certification Office, 2300 E. Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 
60018; telephone: (847) 294-7697; facsimile: (847) 294-7834.
    (h) 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.
    (i) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? The inspections required by this AD must be done in 
accordance with American Champion Aircraft Corporation (ACAC), 
Service Letter 406, Revision A, dated May 6, 1998. The Director of 
the Federal Register previously approved this incorporation by 
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51, as of January 19, 
2001 (65 FR 78905, December 18, 2000). You can get copies from the 
American Champion Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 37, 32032 
Washington Avenue, Highway D, Rochester, Wisconsin 53167; internet 
address: ``www.amerchampionaircraft.com''. You can look at copies at 
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.
    (j) Are other AD's affected by this action? This amendment 
revises AD 2000-25-02, Amendment 39-12036; which superseded AD 98-
05-04, Amendment 39-10365.
    (k) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on July 13, 2001.


[[Page 30310]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 30, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-14143 Filed 6-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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