Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA) Model CN-235 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16474-16475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8423]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-127-AD; Amendment 39-9987; AD 97-07-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. 
(CASA) Model CN-235 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain CASA Model CN-235 series airplanes, that requires 
replacement of the center wing attachment rods with new rods. This 
amendment is prompted by a report from the manufacturer indicating that 
these rods failed during a full-scale fatigue test. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of these 
rods, which consequently could reduce the structural integrity of the 
wing-to-fuselage attachment.

DATES: Effective May 12, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 12, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. 
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Dunn, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2799; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain CASA Model CN-235 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 27, 1997 (62 
FR 3834). That action proposed to require replacement of the center 
wing attachment rods with new rods.

[[Page 16475]]

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1 CASA Model CN-235 series airplane of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 
12 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $1,485 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,205 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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 the following new 
airworthiness directive:

97-07-13  Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
9987. Docket 96-NM-127-AD.

    Applicability: Model CN-235 series airplanes; as listed in CASA 
Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21M, Revision 1, dated November 21, 1994 
(military airplanes), and CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21, 
Revision 3, dated November 30, 1994 (non-military airplanes); 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (b) 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, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fatigue from causing the center wing attachment rods 
to fail, which consequently could reduce the structural integrity of 
the wing-to-fuselage attachment, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total landings, replace 
center wing attachment rods having CASA part number (P/N) 35-22058-
0003 or 35-22067-0001 with new rods having CASA P/N 35-22067-0003, 
in accordance with CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21M, Revision 1, 
dated November 21, 1994 (for military airplanes); or CASA Service 
Bulletin SB-235-53-21, Revision 3, dated November 30, 1994 (for non-
military airplanes); as applicable.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with CASA 
Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21M, Revision 1, dated November 21, 1994; 
or CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-53-21, Revision 3, dated November 
30, 1994; as applicable. 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 
Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 12, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 27, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-8423 Filed 4-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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