Airworthiness Directives; Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd. (Formerly Government Aircraft Factory) Models N22B, N22S, and N24A Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 226 (Monday, November 24, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62514-62516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30719]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-34-AD; Amendment 39-10212; AD 97-24-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty 
Ltd. (Formerly Government Aircraft Factory) Models N22B, N22S, and N24A 
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 all Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd. (ASTA) 
Models N22B, N22S, and N24A airplanes. This AD requires repetitively 
inspecting the aft wing break connectors for arcing damage, deposits 
between contacts, and looseness of contacts; and removing deposits 
between contacts, tightening any loose contacts, and replacing any aft 
wing break connectors with arcing damage. This AD results from several 
reports of uncommanded flap extensions and displays of incorrect stall 
warning indications on the affected airplanes. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent contamination in the aft wing break 
connectors, which could result in uncommanded flap extensions and 
incorrect stall warning indications with consequent loss of airplane 
control.

DATES: Effective January 6, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director

[[Page 62515]]

of the Federal Register as of January 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd., ASTA DEFENCE, 
Private Bag No. 4, Beach Road Lara 3212, Victoria, Australia. This 
information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket 97-CE-34-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: Mr. Ron Atmur, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5224; 
facsimile (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all ASTA Models N22B, 
N22S, and N24A airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 18, 1997 (62 FR 43596). 
The NPRM proposed to require repetitively inspecting the aft wing break 
connectors for arcing damage, deposits between contacts, and looseness 
of contacts; and removing deposits between contacts, tightening any 
loose contacts, and replacing any aft wing break connectors with arcing 
damage. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be in accordance 
with Nomad Alert Service Bulletin ANMD-57-13, dated October 30, 1995.
    This NPRM resulted from several reports of uncommanded flap 
extensions and displays of incorrect stall warning indications on the 
affected airplanes.
    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.

The FAA's Determination

    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 as 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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 15 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the initial inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $900 
or $60 per airplane. This figure does not take into account the cost of 
repetitive inspections or the cost to replace any damaged aft wing 
break connectors. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
repetitive inspections each operator would incur over the life of each 
affected airplane or the number of aft wing break connectors that may 
be found damaged during the inspections required by this action.

Regulatory Impact

    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) 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:

97-24-05  Aerospace Technologies of Australia PTY LTD: Amendment 39-
10212; Docket No. 97-CE-34-AD.

    Applicability: Models N22B, N22S, and N24A airplanes (all serial 
numbers), certificated in any category.

    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 (e) 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent contamination in the aft wing break connectors, which 
could result in uncommanded flap extensions and incorrect stall 
warning indications with consequent loss of airplane control, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
300 hours TIS, inspect the aft wing break connectors for arcing 
damage, deposits between contacts, and looseness of contacts. 
Accomplish these inspections in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS section of Nomad Alert Service Bulletin ANMD-57-13, 
dated October 30, 1995.
    (b) If any deposits between contacts, loose contacts, or aft 
wing break connector arcing damage is found, prior to further 
flight, accomplish the following, as applicable, in accordance with 
the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Nomad Alert Service 
Bulletin ANMD-57-13, dated October 30, 1995:
    (1) Remove any deposits between contacts;
    (2) Tighten any loose contacts; and
    (3) Replace any aft wing break connectors with arcing damage.
    (c) The repetitive inspections specified in this AD are required 
even if deposit is removed between the aft wing break connector 
contacts; any aft wing break connector contacts are tightened; or 
any aft wing break connectors are replaced.

[[Page 62516]]

    (d) 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.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (f) The inspections, removal, tightening, and replacement 
required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Nomad Alert 
Service Bulletin ANMD-57-13, dated October 30, 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 Aerospace Technologies of Australia 
Pty Ltd., ASTA DEFENCE, Private Bag No. 4, Beach Road Lara 3212, 
Victoria, Australia. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Regional 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.
    (g) This amendment (39-10212) becomes effective on January 8, 
1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 14, 1997.
Mary Ellen A. Schutt,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-30719 Filed 11-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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