Airworthiness Directives; Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation 500, 680, 690, and 695 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19387-19388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10178]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-54-AD; Amendment 39-10474; AD 98-08-25]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation 
500, 680, 690, and 695 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 96-12-
08 on certain Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation (Twin Commander) 500, 
680, 690, and 695 series airplanes, which currently requires replacing 
the nose landing gear (NLG) drag link bolt with one that has been 
manufactured with the proper heat-treatment. This action will retain 
the requirements of AD 96-12-08, add an additional model and additional 
serial numbers to the applicability section of the AD, and require 
replacing bolt part number (P/N) ED10055 with bolt P/N 750076-1 on 
certain Models 690D and 695A airplanes. This action is prompted by a 
defective manufacture of a certain lot of drag link bolts used in the 
NLG. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the NLG 
from collapsing caused by a failed drag link bolt, which could result 
in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations.

DATES: Effective May 18, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation, 19010 59th Dr. NE, Arlington, 
Washington, 98223-7832; telephone (360) 435-9797; facsimile (360) 435-
1112. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket 96-E-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: Jeffrey Morfitt, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Ave. S.W., 
Renton, Washington, 98055-4056; telephone: (206) 227-2595; facsimile: 
(206) 227-1181.

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 certain Twin 
Commander 500, 680, 690, and 695 series airplanes that do not have a 
nose landing gear drag link bolt with the manufacturer's serial number, 
manufacture date, and the last three digits of the drawing number 055 
on the bolt head, was published in the Federal Register on May 9, 1997 
(62 FR 25563). The action proposed to require:
    <bullet> replacing the NLG drag link bolt with an approved heat-
treated bolt that has the manufacturer's serial number, manufacture 
date, and the last three digits of the drawing number (055) on the bolt 
head,
    <bullet> including Model 680V in the applicability of the AD;
    <bullet> including additional serial numbers of the already 
affected models; and
    <bullet> changing the bolt part number (P/N) to be installed on 
Models 690D and 695A from P/N ED10055 to P/N 750076-1.
    Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with 
Twin Commander Service Bulletin (SB) No. 224, Revision C, dated July 
25, 1996.
    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 54 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. The manufacturer is providing parts and one 
hour labor free of charge. With this in mind, this AD imposes no cost 
impact upon the U.S. operators of the affected airplanes.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 96-12-08, Amendment No. 39-9650

[[Page 19388]]

and by adding a new AD to read as follows:

98-08-25  Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation: Amendment No. 39-
10474; Docket No. 96-CE-54-AD; Supersedes AD 96-12-08, Amendment No. 
39-9650.

    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Models                             Serial Nos.              
------------------------------------------------------------------------
500S..........................  3185, 3228, 3230, 3262, and 3291        
500U..........................  1765                                    
680F..........................  1195                                    
681...........................  6027                                    
680V..........................  1677                                    
690...........................  11035, 11053, 11068, and 11074          
690A..........................  11111, 11134, 11146, 11153, 11173,      
                                 11177, 11205, 11215, 11237, 11249,     
                                 11271, 11273, and 11282                
690B..........................  11360, 11382, 11409, 11424, 11451,      
                                 11455, 11463, 11491, 11513, 11521,     
                                 11535, 11536, 11539, and 11566         
690C..........................  11638, 11643, 11676, 11689, and 11719   
690D..........................  15041                                   
695...........................  95010, 95033, 95044, and 95066          
695A..........................  69010, 69041, 69056, and 69061          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 within the next 75 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent the nose landing gear (NLG) from collapsing, which 
could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing 
operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) For all airplane models, except for Models 690D and 695A, 
replace the NLG drag link bolt, part number (P/N) ED 10055, with a 
new bolt in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Twin 
Commander Service Bulletin (SB) 224, Revision C, dated July 25, 
1996.
    (b) For airplane Models 690D and 695A, replace the NLG drag link 
bolt (P/N ED 10055), with a new bolt (P/N 750076-1) in accordance 
with Twin Commander SB 224, Revision C, dated July 25, 1996.
    (c) The new replacement bolt must be marked with the 
manufacturer's serial number, the date of manufacture, and the last 
three digits of the drawing number, 055, on the bolt head for all 
but Models 690D and 695A. Models 690D and 695A bolts must be marked 
with the manufacturer's serial number, the date of manufacture, and 
the last three digits of the drawing number, 76-1, on the bolt head.

    Note 2: Although not required by this AD, FAA highly recommends 
that the removed bolt (P/N ED 10055) be returned to Twin Commander 
for Rockwell Hardness testing.

    (d) For all affected models except for Models 690D and 695A, 
compliance with Twin Commander Service Bulletin (SB) 224, Revision 
A, dated April 24, 1996, or Revision C, dated July 25, 1996, 
fulfills the applicable requirements of this AD, and is considered 
``unless already accomplished.''
    (e) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an NLG drag link bolt that does not have the manufacturer's serial 
number, manufacture date, and the last three digits of the drawing 
number as specified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (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 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 
Lind Ave. SW, Renton, Washington, 98055-4056. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained at the Seattle Aircraft Certification Office.
    (h) The inspection and replacement required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Twin Commander Service Bulletin No. 224, 
Revision C, dated July 25, 996. 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 Twin 
Commander Aircraft Corporation, 19010 59th Dr. NE, Arlington, 
Washington, 98223-7832. 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.
    (i) This amendment supersedes AD 96-12-08, mendment 39-9650.
    (j) This amendment becomes effective on May 18, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 9, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10178 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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