Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA), Model C-212 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17903-17905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7352]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-262-AD; Amendment 39-13561; AD 2004-07-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. 
(CASA), Model C-212 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all CASA Model C-212 series airplanes, that requires 
rework of the nose landing gear (NLG); modification of the hydraulic 
steering system; a test of the cable tension for the nosewheel steering 
system when abnormal vibration occurs, and adjustment of the cable 
tension, if necessary; and a revision to the Limitations section of the 
airplane flight manual to include certain procedures to be performed 
during the takeoff run. This action is necessary to prevent failure of 
the auxiliary landing gear direction system, which could result in 
abnormal vibrations during takeoff and landing runs, and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 11, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 11, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. 
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all CASA Model C-212 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2004 (69 
FR 5762). That action proposed to require rework of the nose landing 
gear (NLG); modification of the hydraulic steering system; a test of 
the cable tension for the nosewheel steering system when abnormal 
vibration occurs, and adjustment of the cable tension, if necessary; 
and a revision to the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual 
to include certain procedures to be performed during the takeoff run.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

[[Page 17904]]

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 27 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the rework of the NLG; and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of this action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,530, or 
$390 per airplane.
    We estimate that it will take approximately 92 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the modification of the hydraulic steering 
system. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this action on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $161,460, or $5,980 per airplane.
    We estimate that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to revise the Limitations section of the airplane flight 
manual. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this action on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1,755, or $65 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    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.
    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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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

0
Accordingly, pursuant to 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

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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-07-17 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
13561. Docket 2002-NM-262-AD.

    Applicability: All Model C-212 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the auxiliary landing gear direction 
system, which could result in abnormal vibrations during takeoff and 
landing runs, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

Rework and Modification

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
    (1) Rework the nose landing gear (NLG) in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of CASA Service Bulletin 212-32-21, 
Revision 2, dated November 10, 1987.
    (2) Modify the hydraulic steering system of the NLG in 
accordance with the Instructions for Accomplishment of CASA Service 
Bulletin SB-212-32-22, Revision 2, dated July 28, 1997.

Tension Test and Adjustment

    (b) Within 600 flight hours after any abnormal vibration of the 
nosewheel steering system occurs, test the cable tension of the 
nosewheel steering system. Adjust the tension, if necessary. 
Accomplish these actions in accordance with CASA COM 212-172, 
Revision 04, dated December 9, 2002; or CASA COM 212-173, Revision 
3, dated February 22, 1995; as applicable.

Airplane Flight Manual Revision

    (c) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to 
include the following statement. This may be accomplished by 
inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

    ``Nose wheel malfunction during take-off run--Initiate or 
``perform'' normal RTO procedures.''

    Note 1: When a statement identical to that in paragraph (c) of 
this AD has been included in the general revisions of the AFM, the 
general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the copy of this 
AD may be removed from the AFM.

Parts Installation

    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane an NLG unless it has been reworked in accordance 
with paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with CASA Service Bulletin 212-32-21, Revision 2, 
dated November 10, 1987; CASA Service Bulletin SB-212-32-22, 
Revision 2, dated July 28, 1997; CASA COM 212-172, Revision 04, 
dated December 9, 2002; and CASA COM 212-173, Revision 3, dated 
February 22, 1995; as applicable. CASA Service Bulletin 212-32-21, 
Revision 2, dated November 10, 1987, contains the following 
effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Revision
         Page number            level shown       Date shown on page
                                  on page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................             2  November 10, 1987.
2-24.........................             1  June 4, 1986.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., 
Getafe, Madrid, Spain. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Spanish 
airworthiness directive 01/02, dated April 17, 2002.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on May 11, 2004.


[[Page 17905]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7352 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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