Airworthiness Directives; Pacific Aerospace Limited Models FU24-954 and FU24A-954 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59606-59608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24117]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0941; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-051-AD; 
Amendment 39-16453; AD 2010-20-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pacific Aerospace Limited Models FU24-
954 and FU24A-954 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    Investigation of a recent accident has indicated it is possible 
to exceed the aircraft aft C of G limits during parachute 
operations. It is the responsibility of the pilot in command to 
ensure that the aircraft is loaded within the approved weight and 
balance limitations and these limitations are not exceeded 
throughout the flight.

    This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 18, 2010.
    We must receive comments on this AD by November 12, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket 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 AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority 
for New Zealand, has issued AD DCA/FU24/179, dated September 10, 2010 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Investigation of a recent accident has indicated it is possible 
to exceed the aircraft aft C of G limits during parachute 
operations. It is the responsibility of the pilot in command to 
ensure that the aircraft is loaded within the approved weight and 
balance limitations and these limitations are not exceeded 
throughout the flight.

    The MCAI requires amending the airplane flight manual (AFM) to 
restrict maximum occupancy of the cabin aft of F.S 118.84 to 6 persons 
and requires doing a weight and balance calculation for any parachuting 
operation to ensure the aircraft center of gravity (C of G) will remain 
within AFM limits for the duration of the flight. You may obtain 
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    We have reviewed the MCAI and, in general, agree with its 
substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words 
from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and 
is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ 
substantively from the information provided in the MCAI.
    We might have also required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements take 
precedence over those copied from the MCAI.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because a 
recent accident indicates it is possible to exceed the aircraft aft C 
of G limits during parachute-drop operations. Exceeding C of G limits 
could result in loss of control of the aircraft. Therefore, we 
determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before 
issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists

[[Page 59607]]

for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0941; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-CE-051-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because 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 about this AD.

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 determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2010-20-18 Pacific Aerospace Limited: Amendment 39-16453; Docket No. 
FAA-2010-0941; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-051-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 
18, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Pacific Aerospace Limited Models FU24-954 
and FU24A-954 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
    (1) Certificated in any category; and
    (2) Modified to conduct parachute operations.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 8: Leveling 
and Weighing.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Investigation of a recent accident has indicated it is possible 
to exceed the aircraft aft C of G limits during parachute 
operations. It is the responsibility of the pilot in command to 
ensure that the aircraft is loaded within the approved weight and 
balance limitations and these limitations are not exceeded 
throughout the flight.
    The MCAI requires amending the airplane flight manual (AFM) to 
restrict maximum occupancy of the cabin aft of F.S 118.84 to 6 
persons and requires doing a weight and balance calculation for any 
parachuting operation to ensure the aircraft center of gravity (C of 
G) will remain within AFM limits for the duration of the flight.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Before further parachute-drop operations as of October 18, 
2010 (the effective date of this AD) do the following:
    (i) Amend the airplane flight manual (AFM) to restrict maximum 
occupancy of the cabin aft of F.S 118.84 to 6 persons. This may be 
done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM adjacent to the 
applicable supplement for parachuting operations; and
    (ii) Fabricate a placard at least 2 by 4 inches (using at least 
\1/8\ inch letters) and install the placard in 2 places, one on each 
side of the aft cabin, nominally in view of all occupants as they 
enter and occupy the cabin which states the following: Maximum 
occupancy of this cabin limited to 6 persons for parachuting 
operations. Weight and Balance must be confirmed for each flight.
    (2) Before any parachute-drop operation as of October 18, 2010 
(the effective date of this AD) the weight and balance calculation 
must comply with the following limitations and establish that the 
aircraft C of G will remain within AFM limits for the duration of 
the flight:
    (i) Use actual weights for all occupants and their equipment to 
do the calculation;
    (ii) Account for the positions of all occupants in the 
calculation. Do the calculation with the occupants' (parachuting 
group) positions at the most aft positions that result from the 
rearmost members of the group sitting against the aft cabin wall and 
subsequent occupants located immediately forward of them, unless a 
means of restraint is provided to prevent the occupants moving 
rearwards from their normal position; and
    (iii) Keep a record of the C of G determination for each 
parachuting operation.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards 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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090. 
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.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required

[[Page 59608]]

to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand AD 
DCA/FU24/179, dated September 10, 2010, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 21, 2010.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-24117 Filed 9-27-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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