Airworthiness Directives; Bellanca, Incorporated Models 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31TC, and 17-31ATC Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46538-46539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22247]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-54-AD; Amendment 39-9731; AD 96-18-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bellanca, Incorporated Models 17-30, 
17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31TC, and 17-31ATC Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Bellanca, Incorporated (Bellanca) Models 17-30, 17-30A, 17-
31, 17-31A, 17-31TC, and 17-31ATC airplanes. This action requires 
repetitively inspecting, testing, and possibly replacing the nose 
landing gear (NLG) strut and brackets. A collapse of a Bellanca 
airplane's NLG during a landing prompted this action. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent possible failure of the 
nose landing gear, which, if not detected and corrected, could result 
in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations.

DATES: Effective October 25, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 25, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Bellanca, Incorporated, P.O. Box 964, Alexandria, Minnesota 56308; 
telephone (612) 762-1501. This information may also be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-54-AD, Room 
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office 
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven J. Rosenfeld, Aerospace 
Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 East Devon 
Avenue, Rm. 232, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; (847) 294-7030; facsimile 
(847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to Bellanca Models 17-30, 17-30A, 17-31, 17-31A, 17-31TC, and 17-31ATC 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 22, 1996 (61 
FR 1532). The action proposed to require repetitively inspecting, 
testing, and possibly replacing the nose landing gear (NLG) strut and 
brackets. Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance 
with Bellanca Service Letter (SL) B-107, dated September 20, 1995.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 1,109 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 24 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $160 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,774,400 or approximately $1,600 
per airplane. Bellanca has informed the FAA that no parts have been 
distributed to owners/operators for this replacement; therefore, this 
figure is based on the assumption that no owners/operators have 
accomplished the proposed inspection, testing, and replacement. In 
addition, the FAA has no way of determining the number of repetitive 
inspections each owner/operator will incur prior to replacing the 
bracket.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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)

[[Page 46539]]

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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for 
this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be 
obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under 
the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

96-18-07.  Bellanca, Incorporated: Amendment 39-9731; Docket No. 95-
CE-54-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
17-30.....................................  (30123 through 30262)       
17-30A....................................  (30263 through 78-30905,    
                                             except 76-30824)           
17-31.....................................  (32-1 through 32-14)        
17-31A....................................  (32-15 through 78-32172)    
17-31TC...................................  (31001 through 31003)       
17-31ATC..................................  (31004 through 79-31155)    
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (g) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required initially upon accumulating 500 hours time-
in-service (TIS) or within the next 50 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already 
accomplished, and thereafter as indicated in the body of this AD.
    To prevent failure of the nose landing gear (NLG), which, if not 
detected and corrected, could result in loss of control of the 
airplane during landing operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the NLG drag strut brackets for cracks or bends in 
accordance with the instructions in section 4, NLG DRAG STRUT 
BRACKET INSPECTION, of Bellanca Service Letter (SL) B-107, dated 
September 20, 1995. Prior to further flight, replace any cracked or 
bent bracket with a part number (P/N) 194650-0 (right side) bracket 
or a P/N 194383-0 (left side) bracket in accordance with the 
instructions in section 5, INSTALLATION NEW BRACKETS, of Bellanca SL 
B-107, dated September 20, 1995.
    (b) Inspect the NLG installation, including the upper and lower 
leg assemblies, upper and lower drag struts, over-center spring 
assembly, and engine mount for corroded or worn bolts in accordance 
with the instructions in Section 6, NLG DRAG STRUT INSPECTION, of 
Bellanca SL B-107, dated September 20, 1995. Prior to further 
flight, replace any corroded or worn bolts.
    (c) Check the NLG drag strut rigging, the overcenter of the drag 
strut, and the NLG cylinder actuator stroke limit, and adjust any 
discrepancies in accordance with the applicable instructions 
contained in the following:
    (1) Section 7, PRELIMINARY NLG DRAG STRUT RIGGING CHECK 
(including section 7.1, Preliminary Nose-Wheel-In-The-Well Test, and 
section 7.2, Preliminary NLG Cylinder Down Test), of Bellanca SL B-
107, dated September 20, 1995.
    (2) Section 8, DRAG STRUT OVERCENTER TEST AND ADJUSTMENT, of 
Bellanca SL B-107, dated September 20, 1995.
    (3) Section 9, NLG CYLINDER DOWN TEST AND ADJUSTMENT, of 
Bellanca SL B-107, dated September 20, 1995.
    (d) If any discrepancies are found during any of the checks 
accomplished as required by paragraph (c) of this AD, and the right 
side NLG drag strut bracket has not been replaced with P/N 194650-0 
(accomplished as possible requirement of paragraph (a) of this AD), 
accomplish the following:
    (1) Reinspect the NLG drag strut brackets for cracks or bends at 
intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS in accordance with Section 4, 
NLG DRAG STRUT BRACKET INSPECTION, of Bellanca SL B-107, dated 
September 20, 1995.
    (2) Prior to further flight, replace any cracked or bent bracket 
with a P/N 194650-0 (right side) bracket or a P/N 194383-0 (left 
side) bracket in accordance with the instructions in section 5, 
INSTALLATION NEW BRACKETS, of Bellanca SL B-107, dated September 20, 
1995. Installing the P/N 194650-0 (right side) bracket eliminates 
the repetitive inspection requirement in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
AD.
    (3) The P/N 194650-0 (right side) bracket may be installed at 
any time to eliminate the repetitive inspection requirement of this 
AD.
    (e) Check the NLG retraction (NLG-In-The-Well Test) in 
accordance with the instructions in Section 10, NLG-IN-THE-WELL TEST 
AND NLG CYLINDER MODIFICATION, of Bellanca SL B-107, dated September 
20, 1995. If the nose gear cylinder rod motion is greater than 0.015 
inches, prior to further flight, replace the cylinder internal 
stroke limiting sleeve with a new sleeve, P/N 195577-4, in 
accordance with the instructions in Section 10, NLG-IN-THE-WELL TEST 
AND NLG CYLINDER MODIFICATION, of Bellanca SL B-107, dated September 
20, 1995.
    (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft 
Certification Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Rm. 232, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018. The request shall be forwarded through an 
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.

    (h) The inspections, modifications, and replacements required by 
this AD shall be done in accordance of Bellanca Service Letter B-
107, dated September 20, 1995. This incorporation by reference was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
Bellanca, Incorporated, P.O. Box 964, Alexandria, Minnesota 56308; 
telephone (612) 762-1501. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (i) This amendment (39-9731) becomes effective on October 25, 
1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 23, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22247 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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