Airworthiness Directives; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 178 (Thursday, September 15, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56580-56583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19934]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1162; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01087-A; 
Amendment 39-22180; AD 2022-19-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. (Tecnam) Model P2006T 
airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. This AD

[[Page 56581]]

requires performing a detailed visual inspection (DVI) of the aileron 
control assembly, repairing the aileron control assembly if any crack 
or damage (including missing paint, nicks, or scrapes) is found, 
measuring the length of the screws installed on the ceiling cover 
panel, and replacing the screws if found to be of excessive length. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 30, 2022.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 31, 2022.

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 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1162; 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 street address for Docket Operations is listed 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; 
phone: (816) 329-4165; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-1162; Project Identifier MCAI-
2022-01087-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Jim 
Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA AD 2022-0167, dated August 11, 2022 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on certain Tecnam Model 
P2006T airplanes. The MCAI states that screws attaching the ceiling 
panel covering the aileron control assembly could be of excessive 
length and cause the aileron control rod to become blocked, cracked, or 
damaged. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
unintended jamming of the aileron control rod assembly, the inability 
to use the aileron control surfaces, and loss of control of the 
airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1162.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Tecnam Service Bulletin 574-CS-Edition 1, Revision 
3, dated August 1, 2022. The service information specifies performing a 
DVI of the aileron control assembly, measuring the length of the screws 
installed on the ceiling cover panel, and replacing the screws if found 
to be of excessive length. The service information also specifies 
contacting Tecnam for repair instructions if any crack or damage is 
found on the aileron control rod.

FAA's Determination

    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 described above. The FAA is issuing this AD after 
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information already described, except as discussed under ``Differences 
Between this AD, the MCAI, and the Service Information.''

Differences Between This AD, the MCAI, and the Service Information

    The MCAI specifies that the DVI of the aileron control assembly and 
measurement of screws installed on the ceiling cover panel be performed 
within 10 flight hours after the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0132, 
dated July 4, 2022, or the effective date of the MCAI, depending on the 
airplane's serial number. This AD requires the inspection and 
measurement be performed before further flight after the effective date 
of this AD.
    The service bulletin specifies contacting Tecnam for approved 
corrective action instructions, and this AD requires using a repair 
method approved by the FAA, EASA, or Tecnam's Design Organization 
Approval.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds 
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance.

[[Page 56582]]

Further, section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to make rules 
effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies foregoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the pilot could lose control of the airplane due to the jamming 
of the aileron control rod caused by screws of excessive length 
installed on the ceiling cover panel. Since this condition happens 
rapidly and without warning, the inspections and any necessary repair 
or replacement must be accomplished before further flight. Accordingly, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 71 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
             Action                    Labor cost              Parts cost             product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect aileron control assembly  1 work-hour x $85    Not Applicable...........             $85          $6,035
                                   per hour = $85.
Measure ceiling cover panel       .50 work-hour x $85  Not Applicable...........           42.50        3,017.50
 attach screws.                    per hour = $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection and 
measurement. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that might need this repair or replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair aileron control assembly...............  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85             $50            $135
Replace aileron control assembly..............  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85             500             585
Replace incorrect length ceiling cover panel    .50 work-hour x $85 per hour =               100          142.50
 screws.                                         $42.50.
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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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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 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:

2022-19-11 Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A.: Amendment 39-
22180; Docket No. FAA-2022-1162; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01087-
A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 30, 
2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. Model 
P2006T airplanes, all serial numbers (S/N) up to 345 inclusive, and 
S/N 348, 352, 353, 355, and 357, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2710, Aileron 
Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information

[[Page 56583]]

originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify 
and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to detect and correct screws of excessive length 
installed on the ceiling panel covering the aileron control 
assembly, which could cause the aileron control rod to become 
jammed, cracked, or damaged. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in unintended jamming of the aileron control assembly, 
the inability to use the aileron control surfaces, and loss of 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection/Measurement

    Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a detailed visual inspection of the aileron control 
assembly, part number 26-9-1502-000, for cracks and damage 
(including missing paint, nicks, or scrapes) and measure the length 
of the screws installed on the ceiling cover panel.
    (1) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, any crack or damage (including missing paint, nicks, or scrapes) 
is found on the aileron control rod assembly, before further flight, 
repair using a method approved by the FAA; the European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Tecnam's Design Organization 
Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include 
the DOA-authorized signature.
    (2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, any screws installed on the ceiling cover panel do not match the 
limits specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, before 
further flight, replace that screw with the correct screw identified 
in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, as applicable.
    (i) If blind rivet nuts are installed on the ceiling panel 
covering the aileron control assembly, then the correct panel screw 
would be 12mm in length with part number UNI7689-3-12.
    (ii) If blind rivet nuts are not installed on the ceiling panel 
covering the aileron control assembly, then the correct panel screw 
would be equal to or less than 10mm in length with part number 
UNI6594-2.9-9.5.
    Note to paragraph (g): Tecnam Service Bulletin 574-CS-Edition 1, 
Revision 3, dated August 1, 2022, contains information related to 
this subject.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in Sec.  39.19. In accordance with Sec.  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 International Validation Branch, mail 
it to the address identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD or email 
to: [email protected]. If mailing information, also submit 
information by email. 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.

(j) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to EASA AD 2022-0167, dated August 11, 2022, for 
related information. This EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1162.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Jim Rutherford, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4165; email: 
[email protected].
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at Costruzioni Aeronautiche 
Tecnam S.P.A., Airworthiness Office Via S. D'acquisto 62, 80042 
Boscotrecase, Italy; phone: +39 0823 997538; email: 
tecnam.com">technical.support@tecnam.com; website: tecnam.com. 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 
(817) 222-5110.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on September 8, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19934 Filed 9-14-22; 8:45 am]
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