Airworthiness Directives; Alexandria Aircraft LLC Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 7, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60327-60329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23559]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0438; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-015-AD; 
Amendment 39-17985; AD 2014-20-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexandria Aircraft LLC Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 75-20-06 for 
certain Alexandria Aircraft LLC (type certificate previously held by 
Bellanca Aircraft Corp., Viking Aviation, Inc., and Bellanca, Inc.) 
Models 14-19-3A, 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31ATC, and 17-31TC 
airplanes. AD 75-20-06 required repetitively inspecting the aft 
fuselage structure near the top of the vertical side tubing, which 
connects the horizontal stabilizer carry-through to the upper fuselage 
longeron, for cracks and installing the manufacturer's service repair 
kit as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections to repair 
any cracks found. Since we issued AD 75-20-06, we have determined that 
installing the service kit has not prevented cracks from occurring. We 
have also determined that all affected airplane serial numbers should 
be included in the Applicability section. This AD requires continued 
repetitive inspections of the aft fuselage structure near the top of 
the vertical side tubing for cracks and making all necessary 
replacements of cracked parts. This AD also adds additional serial 
number airplanes to the Applicability section. We are issuing this AD 
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 12, 2014 November 12, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 12, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Alexandria Aircraft LLC, 2504 Aga Drive, Alexandria, MN 5630; phone: 
(320) 763-4088; fax: (320) 763-4095; Internet: www.bellanca-
aircraft.com; email: aircraft.com">partsales@bellanca-aircraft.com. You may view this 
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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0438; 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 address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 75-20-06, Amendment 39-2372 (40 FR 43484, 
September 22, 1975, (``AD 75-20-06''). AD 75-20-06 applied to certain 
Alexandria Aircraft LLC (type certificate previously held by Bellanca 
Aircraft Corp., Viking Aviation, Inc., and Bellanca, Inc.) Models 14-
19-3A, 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31ATC, and 17-31TC airplanes. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 2, 2014 (79 FR 
37679). The NPRM was prompted by reports that cracks are still being 
found in the vertical side fuselage tube (F.S. 7) in the area near the 
upper fuselage longeron on airplanes that have had Bellanca Kit 
SK1234789-0004 installed, which is a terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required in AD 75-20-06. The NPRM proposed to 
retain the inspection requirements of AD 75-20-06, remove the 
terminating action allowed in AD 75-20-06, and change the applicability 
to include all serial numbers. We are issuing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 37679, July 2, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 37679, July 2, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 37679, July 2, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 847 airplanes of U.S. registry.

[[Page 60328]]

    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
             Action                  Labor cost               Parts cost              product        operators
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Inspecting the horizontal        1 work-hour x $85   Not applicable.............             $85         $71,995
 stabilizer fuselage attachment   per hour = $85.
 tube and carry-thru tube
 support bracket (retained
 actions from AD 75-20-06).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that will 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 horizontal stabilizer        30 work-hours x $85 per hour =              $575          $3,125
 fuselage attachment tube and carry-thru tube    $2,550.
 support bracket.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 have 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),
    (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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
75-20-06, Amendment 39-2372 (40 FR 43484, September 22, 1975), and 
adding the following new AD:

2014-20-12 Alexandria Aircraft LLC: Amendment 39-17985; Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0438; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-015-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 12, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 75-20-06, Amendment 39-2372 (40 FR 43484, 
September 22, 1975, (``AD 75-20-06'')).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Alexandria Aircraft LLC (type certificate 
previously held by Bellanca Aircraft Corp., Viking Aviation, Inc., 
and Bellanca, Inc.) Models 14-19-3A, 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 
17-31ATC, and 17-31TC airplanes, all serial numbers (S/Ns), 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that cracks are still being 
found in the vertical side fuselage tube (fuselage station 7) in the 
area near the upper fuselage longeron on airplanes that have had 
Bellanca Kit SK1234789-0004 installed, which is a terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections required in AD 75-20-06. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in either vertical side 
fuselage tube (F.S. 7), which is adjacent to the horizontal 
stabilizer carry-through, in the area near the upper fuselage 
longeron to prevent failure of the horizontal stabilizer. This 
failure could cause reduced structural integrity of the fuselage and 
result in loss of control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified in 
paragraphs (g) through (h) of this AD, unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    (1) Models 14-19-3A and 17-31A, S/Ns 32-15 through 76-32-163; 
Models 17-30 and 17-30A, S/Ns 30263 through 76-30811; and Models 17-
31, 17-31TC, and 17-31ATC, S/Ns 30004, and 31004 through 76-31124 
(airplanes previously affected by AD 75-20-06): Within the next 100 
hours time-in-service (TIS) after the last inspection completed by 
AD 75-20-06 or within the next 25 hours TIS after November 12, 2014 
(the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, and 
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, 
visually inspect the aft fuselage truss for cracks as specified in 
paragraph 4. INSPECTION of Alexandria Aircraft LLC

[[Page 60329]]

Bellanca Service Letter 85, Revision B, dated April 8, 2004.
    (2) Models 14-19-3A, 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31ATC, and 
17-31TC airplanes, all S/Ns not referenced in paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD (airplanes not previously affected by AD 75-20-06): Before 
or upon the accumulation of 300 hours TIS or within the next 25 
hours TIS after November 12, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), 
whichever occurs later, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 100 hours TIS, visually inspect the aft fuselage truss for 
cracks as specified in paragraph 4. INSPECTION of Alexandria 
Aircraft LLC Bellanca Service Letter 85, Revision B, dated April 8, 
2004.

(h) Replacement

    If cracks are found during any inspection required by paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
cracked parts with FAA-approved zero-time parts as specified in 
paragraph 5. REPAIR of Alexandria Aircraft LLC Bellanca Service 
Letter 85, Revision B, dated April 8, 2004.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (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 paragraph (j) 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.
    (3) AMOCs approved for AD 75-20-06, Amendment 39-2372 (40 FR 
43484, September 22, 1975) are not approved as AMOCs for the 
corresponding provisions of this AD.

(j) Related Information

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

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Alexandria Aircraft LLC Bellanca Service Letter 85, Revision 
B, dated April 8, 2004.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Alexandria Aircraft LLC service information identified 
in this AD, contact Alexandria Aircraft LLC, 2504 Aga Drive, 
Alexandria, MN 5630; phone: (320) 763-4088; fax: (320) 763-4095; 
Internet: www.bellanca-aircraft.com; email: aircraft.com">partsales@bellanca-aircraft.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this 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 September 26, 2014.
Kelly A. Broadway,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23559 Filed 10-6-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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