Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72137-72139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34383]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-83-AD; Amendment 39-10971; AD 99-01-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 airplanes. This AD 
requires replacing the left and right rudder bars with improved design 
rudder bars. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for France. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
distortion of the original design rudder bars during operation, which 
could result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 12, 1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 5, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-83-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from 
Avions Pierre Robin, 1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-France; 
telephone: 80 44 20 50; facsimile: 80 35 60 80. This information may 
also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-
CE-83-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Karl M. Schletzbaum, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone:

[[Page 72138]]

(816) 426-6932; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 
airplanes. The DGAC reports a case of rudder bar distortion during 
intensive aerobatic use.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced or loss 
of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Avions Pierre Robin has issued Service Bulletin No. 143, dated 
September 8, 1995, which specifies replacing the left and right rudder 
bars, part number (P/N) 27.23.05.010 (left) and P/N 27.23.05.020 
(right), with improved design rudder bars, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and 
P/N 27.40.31.020 (right).
    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD 95-217(A), dated November 8, 1995, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

The FAA's Determination

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above.
    The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this 
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of This AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 airplanes of 
the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is 
issuing an AD. This AD requires replacing the left and right rudder 
bars, part number (P/N) 27.23.05.010 (left) and P/N 27.23.05.020 
(right), with improved design rudder bars, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and 
P/N 27.40.31.020 (right). Accomplishment of the actions of this AD 
would be required in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.

Cost Impact

    None of the Avions Model R2160 airplanes affected by this action 
are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability 
of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign 
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. 
However, the FAA considers this rule necessary to ensure that the 
unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject 
airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register, accomplishment of the required replacement would take 
approximately 20 workhours per airplane at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Parts cost approximately $500 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be $1,700 per 
airplane that would become registered in the United States.

The Effective Date of This AD

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may 
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 98-CE-83-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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, 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.

[[Page 72139]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

99-01-04  Avions Pierre Robin: Amendment 39-10971; Docket No. 98-CE-
83-AD.

    Applicability: Model R2160 airplanes, all serial numbers 
beginning with 250; 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 (d) 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 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent distortion of the original design rudder bars during 
operation, which could result in reduced or loss of control of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the left and right rudder bars, part number (P/N) 
27.23.05.010 (left) and P/N 27.23.05.020 (right), with improved 
design rudder bars, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and P/N 27.40.31.020 
(right), or FAA-approved equivalent part numbers. Accomplish these 
replacements in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, 
as specified in Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 143, dated 
September 8, 1995.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any of the affected airplanes, rudder bars that are not of 
improved design, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and P/N 27.40.31.020 
(right), or FAA-approved equivalent part numbers.
    (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) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request 
shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to Avions Pierre 
Robin Service Bulletin No. 143, dated September 8, 1995, should be 
directed to Avions Pierre Robin, 1 route de Troyes 21121 Darois, 
France; telephone: 03.80.44.20.50; facsimile: 03.80.35.60.80. This 
service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 95-
217(A), dated November 8, 1995.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 12, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-34383 Filed 12-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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