Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft, Inc. SA226 and SA227 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18813-18815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8988]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-17-AD; Amendment 39-12708; AD 2002-08-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft, Inc. SA226 and 
SA227 Series 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 Fairchild Aircraft, Inc. (Fairchild) SA226 and SA227 
series airplanes equipped with Skidmore-Wilheim Manufacturing Co. 
(Skidmore-Wilheim) (formerly Hydromotive) Model V1-15-1000 brake master 
cylinders. This AD requires you to replace these brake master cylinders 
with new or overhauled units of the same design. This AD is the result 
of reports of dragging brakes during taxi operations. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to correct and prevent future 
malfunctioning brake master cylinders. Malfunctioning brake master 
cylinders could cause dragging brakes, which can result in overheated 
brakes and a wheelwell fire if the dragging takes place during takeoff 
and the gear is later retracted.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 6, 2002.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of June 
6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Fairchild Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 
78279-0490; telephone: (210) 824-9421; facsimile: (210) 820-8609. You 
may view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2001-CE-17-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: Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5133; facsimile: (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    The FAA received several reports of dragging brakes on Fairchild 
SA226 series airplanes when the brake pedals were operated during taxi 
operations. After troubleshooting by maintenance personnel, the problem 
was traced to the brake master cylinder. Disassembly of the 
malfunctioning master cylinders revealed broken check valve spring 
washers that, together with the action of the shuttle valve, prevented 
the release of brake pressure. Based on observed failures, FAA has 
determined that the brake master cylinders should be replaced at 
intervals of 15,000 hours time-in-service.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    This condition, if not detected or corrected, could cause dragging 
brakes, which can result in overheated brakes and cause an in-flight 
wheelwell fire if the dragging takes place during takeoff and the gear 
is later retracted.

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 Fairchild SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with 
Skidmore-Wilheim Model V1-15-1000 brake master cylinders. This proposal 
was published in the Federal Register as a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 20, 2001 (66 FR 65663). The 
supplemental NPRM proposed to required you replace these brake master 
cylinders with new or overhauled units of the same design.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the supplemental 
proposed rule or on our determination of the cost to the public.

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 have determined that these minor 
corrections:

--provide the intent that was proposed in the supplemental NPRM for 
correcting the unsafe condition; and

[[Page 18814]]

--do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the supplemental NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 140 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 replacements:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            New or overhauled parts
               Labor cost                   cost (4 parts for each    Total cost per      Total cost on U.S.
                                              aircraft required)         airplane              operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $480.....  4 parts  x  $200 = $800...          $1,280  140  x  $1,280 = $179,200.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2002-08-01  Fairchild Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-12708; Docket No. 
2001-CE-17-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated 
in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SA226-AT..................................  All.
SA226-T...................................  All.
SA226-T(B)................................  All.
SA226-TC..................................  All.
SA227-AC, SA227-AT, and SA227-TT..........  420 through 583.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to correct and prevent future malfunctioning 
brake master cylinders. Malfunctioning brake master cylinders could 
cause dragging brakes, which can result in overheated brakes and a 
wheelwell fire if the dragging takes place during takeoff and the 
gear is later retracted.

    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the Skidmore-Wilheim  Within the next 200   For SA226 series
 Manufacturing Co. Model V1-   hours time-in-        airplanes, do this
 15-1000 brake master          service (TIS) after   action following
 cylinders with new or         June 6, 2002 (the     the procedures in
 overhauled Model V1-15-1000   effective date of     the applicable
 brake master cylinders or     this AD) or 15,000    maintenance manual.
 FAA-approved equivalent       hours total TIS on    Overhaul the brake
 part numbers.                 the affected brake    master cylinders
                               master cylinders,     following the
                               whichever occurs      procedures in
                               later, unless         Fairchild Service
                               already               Bulletin 226-32-
                               accomplished.         069, Issued:
                               Replace thereafter    October 24, 2001.
                               at intervals not to   For SA227 series
                               exceed 15,000 hours   airplanes, do this
                               TIS.                  action following
                                                     the procedures in
                                                     the applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
                                                     Overhaul the brake
                                                     master cylinders
                                                     following the
                                                     procedures in
                                                     Fairchild Service
                                                     Bulletin 227-32-
                                                     045, Issued:
                                                     October 24, 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Fort Worth ACO.

    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 (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

[[Page 18815]]

methods of compliance? Contact Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5133; facsimile: (817) 222-5960.
    (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 
Fairchild Aircraft Service Bulletin 226-32-069 including Overhaul 
Instructions With Parts Breakdown, Issued: October 24, 2001, and 
Fairchild Aircraft Service Bulletin 227-32-045 including Overhaul 
Instructions With Parts Breakdown, Issued: October 24, 2001. 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 Fairchild Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 
78279-0490. 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 June 6, 2002.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 8, 2002.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-8988 Filed 4-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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