Airworthiness Directives; AERMACCI S.p.A. Models S.208 and S.208A Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17316-17318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9114]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-140-AD; Amendment 39-10453; AD 98-08-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AERMACCI S.p.A. Models S.208 and S.208A 
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 AERMACCI S.p.A. Models S.208 and S.208A airplanes. This 
AD requires inspecting the landing gear rod springs to assure they are 
made with a wire diameter of 4.5 millimeters (mm), and replacing any 
that have a wire diameter of 4.0 mm. This AD is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for Italy. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent failure of the landing gear caused by an insufficient wire 
diameter of the rod springs, which could result in loss of control of 
the airplane during landing operations.

DATES: Effective May 26, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director

[[Page 17317]]

of the Federal Register as of May 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from SIAI Marchetti S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via 
Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-
929117; facsimile: +39-331-922525. This information may also be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-140-
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: David O. Keenan, Project Officer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201 
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

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 AERMACCI S.p.A. 
Models S.208 and S.208A airplanes was published in the Federal Register 
as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 2, 1998 (63 FR 
5324). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the landing gear rod 
springs to assure they are made with a wire diameter of 4.5 millimeters 
(mm), and replacing any that have a wire diameter of 4.0 mm. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 205B59, 
dated July 29, 1995.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy.
    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 6 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 9 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the action required by this AD, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $15 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,330, or $555 
per airplane. This figure is based on the presumption that all of the 
affected airplanes will have landing gear rod springs with an incorrect 
diameter, and will require replacement of these rod springs.

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:

98-08-04  AERMACCI S.P.A.: Amendment 39-10453; Docket No. 97-CE-140-
AD.

    Applicability: Models S.208 and S.208A 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 (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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the landing gear caused by an insufficient 
wire diameter of the rod springs, which could result in loss of 
control of the airplane during landing operations, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the landing gear rod springs to 
assure they are made with a wire diameter of 4.5 millimeters (mm). 
Accomplish this inspection in accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin No. 205B59, dated July 29, 1995.
    (b) If any landing gear rod springs are found to have a wire 
diameter of 4.0 mm, prior to further flight after the inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, replace these rod springs with 
rod springs that have a wire diameter of 4.5 mm. Accomplish this 
replacement in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
    (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 times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 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

[[Page 17318]]

compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small 
Airplane Directorate.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to SIAI Marchetti 
S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 205B59, dated July 29, 1995, should be 
directed to SIAI Marchetti S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via 
Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-
929117; facsimile: +39-331-922525. 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.
    (f) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 205B59, 
dated July 29, 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 SIAI Marchetti 
S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto 
Calende (VA), Italy. 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 becomes effective on May 26, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 31, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9114 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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