Airworthiness Directives; ASI Aviation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Reims Aviation S.A.) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 225 (Friday, November 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67307-67309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25688]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0714; Project Identifier 2019-CE-016-AD; Amendment 
39-21794; AD 2021-22-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; ASI Aviation (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Reims Aviation S.A.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
ASI Aviation (type certificate previously held by Reims Aviation S.A.) 
Model F406 airplanes. This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as failure 
of a circuit breaker (CB) switch. This AD requires replacing certain CB 
switches and establishing a life limit for the CB switches. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 3, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 3, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact ASI Aviation, A[eacute]rodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 Prunay, 
France; telephone: +33 3 26 48 46 84; fax: +33 3 26 49 18 57; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://asi-aviation.fr/page-Accueil.html. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0714.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0714; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the 
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The address for 
Docket Operations is 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: Gregory Johnson, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, International Validation Section, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, MO 64106-2641; phone: (720) 626-5462; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all ASI Aviation (type 
certificate previously held by Reims Aviation S.A.) Model F406 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 27, 
2021 (86 FR 48067). The NPRM was prompted by MCAI originated by the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2019-0015, 
dated January 29, 2019 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition on ASI Aviation (type certificate 
previously held by Reims Aviation S.A.) Model F406 airplanes. The MCAI 
states:

    After the Federal Aviation Administration issued AD 2005-20-25 
[70 FR 59237, October 12, 2005], applicable to Cessna 400 series 
aeroplanes equipped with certain avionics bus CB switches, it was 
determined that, due to design commonality, one of the affected 
avionics bus CB switches, P/N [part number] CM3589-50, was also 
installed on Reims F 406 aeroplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to smoke and/or 
burning smell in the cockpit, possibly resulting in reduced control 
of the aeroplane.
    To address that potential unsafe condition, RAI issued SB 
[service bulletin] F406-62 to provide instructions to remove certain 
switches from service. Consequently, EASA issued AD 2006-0134 to 
require identification of the date code of P/N CM3589-50 CB switches 
and, depending on findings, replacement with improved design CB 
switches, P/N 4061-2400-1. That [EASA] AD also imposed a life limit 
on the affected CB switches P/N CM3589-50.

[[Page 67308]]

    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, in-service occurrences of smoke 
and burning smell in the cockpit have been reported on F 406 
aeroplanes. Technical investigations revealed that these were due to 
failure of CB switches P/N CM3589-20, which are used to control the 
propeller de-icing circuit. Prompted by these events, ASI Aviation 
issued the applicable SB (as defined in this [EASA] AD) to provide 
instructions to replace the affected parts with serviceable parts.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2006-0134, which is superseded, expands the 
range of affected parts, and requires replacement of P/N CM3589-20 
CB switches with improved design CB switches P/N 406E2450-00000-100. 
This [EASA] AD also replaces the previous life limit, 1 000 flight 
hours (FH) for certain P/N CM3589-50 CB switches, with a 6 year 
calendar time life limit, and also imposes that limit on the 
improved design CB switches.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0714.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. The FAA determined that air 
safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This 
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed ASI Aviation Service Bulletin No. F406-62, 
Revision 01, dated December 14, 2018, which specifies inspecting the CB 
switches to determine the date code, replacing CB switches with certain 
date codes, and establishing a life limit of 6 years for the new CB 
switches. The FAA also reviewed ASI Aviation Service Bulletin No. F406-
90, dated December 14, 2018, which specifies replacing the CB switches 
and establishing a life limit of 6 years for the new CB switches. This 
service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI allows installation of an affected CB switch until the 
airplane is modified. This AD prohibits installation of an affected CB 
switch as of the effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA also estimates that it would take about 5 work-hours per 
airplane to comply with the inspection required by this AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the inspection cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $1,700 or $425 per airplane.
    In addition, the FAA estimates that each replacement required by 
this AD would take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $350. 
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the replacement cost of this 
AD on U.S. operators to be $435 per airplane.

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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

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:

2021-22-21 ASI Aviation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Reims 
Aviation S.A.): Amendment 39-21794; Docket No. FAA-2021-0714; 
Project Identifier 2019-CE-016-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 3, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to ASI Aviation (type certificate previously 
held by Reims Aviation S.A.) Model F406 airplanes, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2400, Electrical 
Power System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failure of a 
circuit breaker (CB) switch. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
smoke and burning smell in the cockpit caused by failure of CB 
switches. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

[[Page 67309]]

(g) Inspection and Corrective Actions

    Within 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within 12 months, 
whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, prepare 
the airplane and gain access in accordance with steps 1 through 7 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions in ASI Aviation Service Bulletin No. 
F406-62, Revision 01, dated December 14, 2018 (SB F406-62R1), and 
inspect each avionics bus CB switch part number (P/N) CM3589-50 to 
identify the date code.
    (1) If a CB switch does not have a date code, before further 
flight, remove the CB switch from service and install CB switch P/N 
4061-2400-1 in accordance with steps 9 through 14 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in SB F406-62R1.
    (2) If a CB switch has a date code earlier than 0434, before the 
CB switch exceeds 1,000 hours TIS since first installation on an 
airplane, remove the CB switch from service and install CB switch P/
N 4061-2400-1 in accordance with steps 9 through 14 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in SB F406-62R1.
    (3) If a CB switch has a date code 0434 or later, before the CB 
switch exceeds 6 years since first installation on an airplane or 
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, remove the CB switch from service and install CB 
switch P/N 4061-2400-1 in accordance with steps 9 through 14 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in SB F406-62R1.

(h) Replacements

    Within 200 hours TIS or within 12 months, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, remove each CB switch P/N 
CM3589-20 from service, re-identify the CB panel, and install CB 
switches with P/N 406E2450-00000-100 in accordance with Part 1, 
steps 1 through 13, of the Accomplishment Instructions in ASI 
Aviation Service Bulletin No. F406-90, dated December 14, 2018 (SB 
F406-90).

(i) Life Limit

    Before exceeding 6 years since first installation on an airplane 
and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 years, remove each CB 
switch P/N 4061-2400-1 and P/N 406E2450-00000-100 from service and 
replace it in accordance with steps 9 through 14 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in SB F406-62R1 or Part 1, steps 1 
through 13, of the Accomplishment Instructions in SB F406-90, as 
applicable.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a CB switch 
P/N CM3589-50 or P/N CM3589-20 on any airplane.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of 
this AD using Reims Aviation Industries Service Bulletin No. F406-
62, dated March 8, 2006.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (m)(1) of this AD or 
email: [email protected].
    (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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Gregory Johnson, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, International Validation Section, FAA, 901 
Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106-2641; phone: (720) 626-5462; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-
0015, dated January 29, 2019, for more information. You may examine 
the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0714.
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (n)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) ASI Aviation Service Bulletin No. F406-62, Revision 01, 
dated December 14, 2018.
    (ii) ASI Aviation Service Bulletin No. F406-90, dated December 
14, 2018.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact ASI 
Aviation, A[eacute]rodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 Prunay, France; 
telephone: +33 3 26 48 46 84; fax: +33 3 26 49 18 57; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://asi-aviation.fr/page-Accueil.html.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, MO 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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on October 22, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-25688 Filed 11-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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