Airworthiness Directives; CASA Model C-212 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31607-31608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15254]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-97-AD; Amendment 39-10582; AD 98-12-28]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CASA Model C-212 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 all CASA Model C-212 series airplanes, that requires 
repetitive inspections for cracking in the false spar of the wing, and 
repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to detect and correct cracking in the false spar, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the wing.

DATES: Effective July 15, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 15, 1998.

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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 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 all CASA Model C-212 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 1998 (63 FR 
17341). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections for 
cracking in the false spar of the wing, and repair, if necessary.

Comments

    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 41 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 30 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $73,800, or $1,800 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    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:
98-12-28 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
10582. Docket 98-NM-97-AD.
    Applicability: All Model C-212 series 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 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area

[[Page 31608]]

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 detect and correct cracking in the false spar of the wing, 
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, perform a detailed visual inspection for cracking in the false 
spar of the wing, on the left and right sides of the airplane, in 
accordance with CASA Product Support Document COM 212-224, dated 
November 28, 1990.
    (1) If no cracking is detected, repeat the detailed visual 
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 flight hours.
    (2) If any cracking is detected, prior to further flight, repair 
in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the Direccion General de Aviacion (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Spain (or its delegated agent). Repeat 
the detailed visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
1,200 flight hours.
    (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, International Branch, ANM-116. 
Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (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 inspections shall be done in accordance with CASA 
Product Support Document COM 212-224, dated November 28, 1990. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Spanish 
airworthiness directive 02/96, dated May 13, 1996.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 15, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 3, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15254 Filed 6-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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