Airworthiness Directives; WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33083-33085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13355]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0578; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-019-AD; 
Amendment 39-17071; AD 2012-11-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation 
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 certain 
WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Models 2T-1A, 2T-1A-1, and 2T-1A-2 
airplanes. This AD requires inspection of the front and rear horizontal 
stabilizer spar assemblies with replacement of parts as necessary. This 
AD was prompted by cracking of the horizontal stabilizer spars, which 
could lead to failure of the horizontal spars with consequent loss of 
control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 20, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 20, 
2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by July 20, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact WACO Classic 
Aircraft Corporation; 15955 South Airport Rd., Battle Creek, Michigan 
49015; telephone: (269) 565-1000; fax: (269) 565-1100; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.wacoaircraft.com/great-lakes-support/. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven J. Rosenfeld, Aerospace 
Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 2300 East 
Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; phone: (847) 294-
7030; fax: (847) 294-7834; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    In the last two years, there have been three incidents of 
horizontal stabilizer failure on WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation 
Models 2T-1A, 2T-1A-1, and 2T-1A-2 airplanes. Cracks originated from 
around the circumference of the right stabilizer front spar and, in one 
incident, the stabilizer separated from the aircraft. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in failure of the horizontal stabilizer 
spars with consequent loss of control.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, Great Lakes 
Aircraft, Service Bulletin No. SB-GL12-01R, Revision IR, dated January 
25, 2012. The service information describes procedures for inspecting 
the front and rear horizontal stabilizer spar assemblies with 
replacement as necessary.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires inspecting the front and rear horizontal 
stabilizer spar assemblies with replacement of parts as necessary. The 
AD also requires sending the initial inspection results to the Chicago 
ACO.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. After evaluating the inspection 
results, we may take further AD action.

FAA's Justification and 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 
failure of the horizontal stabilizer spars could result in loss of 
control. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2012-0578 and 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-019-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.

[[Page 33084]]

    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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 134 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
            Action                  Labor cost              Parts cost              product         operators
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Inspection of the front and     4 work-hours x     Not applicable.............            $340          $45,560
 rear horizontal stabilizer      $85 per hour =
 spar assemblies.                $340.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the front and rear spar         92 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $2,200          $10,020
 stabilizer assembly parts (accumulative cost   7,820.
 for all four spar assemblies).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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 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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2012-11-08 WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-17071 ; 
Docket No. FAA-2012-0578; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-019-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 20, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following WACO Classic Aircraft 
Corporation model airplanes listed in paragraphs (c)(1) through 
(c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category:
    (1) 2T-1A: Serial numbers (S/Ns) 0501 through 0502,
    (2) 2T-1A-1: S/Ns 0503 through 0699, and
    (3) 2T-1A-2: S/Ns 0701 through 1012.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 55, Horizontal Stabilizer Spar/Rib.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by failure of the horizontal stabilizer 
spars, which could result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD 
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    Before doing aerobatic flight maneuvers or at the next annual or 
100-hour inspection after July 20, 2012, whichever occurs first, and 
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 200 hours 
time-in-service (TIS), inspect the front and rear horizontal 
stabilizer spar assemblies for cracking following WACO Classic 
Aircraft Corporation, Great Lakes Aircraft, Service Bulletin No. SB-
GL12-01R, Revision IR, dated January 25, 2012.

(h) Maintenance

    If any cracking is found during any of the inspections required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
cracked parts following WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, Great 
Lakes Aircraft, Service Bulletin No. SB-GL12-01R, Revision IR, dated 
January 25, 2012.

[[Page 33085]]

(i) Reporting Requirement

    Within 10 days after the initial inspection required in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, send a report of the inspection results to 
the Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) using the contact 
information found in the Related Information paragraph (l). Include 
in your report the following information:
    (1) Date of inspection,
    (2) Model of aircraft,
    (3) N number of aircraft,
    (4) Serial number of aircraft,
    (5) Hours TIS of aircraft,
    (6) Description of failure if applicable,
    (7) Part(s) and part number of failed part(s) if applicable.

(j) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the 
Related Information section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

 (l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Steven J. Rosenfeld, 
Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; 
phone: (847) 294-7030; fax: (847) 294-7834; email: 
[email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, Great Lakes 
Aircraft, Service Bulletin No. SB-GL12-01R, Revision IR, dated 
January 25, 2012, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the 
AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact WACO 
Classic Aircraft Corporation; 15955 South Airport Rd., Battle Creek, 
Michigan 49015; telephone: (269) 565-1000; fax: (269) 565-1100; 
email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.wacoaircraft.com/great-lakes-support/.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 25, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-13355 Filed 6-4-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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