Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24028-24029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10969]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-81-AD; Amendment 39-11156; AD 99-10-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 
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 certain Avions Pierre Robin Model R2160 airplanes. This AD 
requires inspecting to assure that the fuel filler cap has a 2.5 
millimeter (mm) diameter hole drilled through it or that a vinyl piping 
is connected to the filler neck inside the cabin. If neither of these 
items exists, this AD requires replacing the fuel filler cap with a 
fuel filler cap that has a 2.5 mm diameter hole drilled through it. 
This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct the 
installation of improperly designed fuel venting system parts, which 
could result in an inadequate fuel supply to the engine with loss of 
engine power.

DATES: Effective June 18, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 18, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Avions Pierre Robin, 1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-France; 
telephone: 33-3 80 44 20 50; facsimile: 33-3 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-81-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: Mr. Karl M. Schletzbaum, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; 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 certain Avions Pierre 
Robin Model R2160 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 2, 1999 (64 FR 10114). 
The NPRM proposed to require inspecting to assure that the fuel filler 
cap has a 2.5 millimeter (mm) diameter hole drilled through it or that 
a vinyl piping is connected to the filler neck inside the cabin. If 
neither of these items exists, the NPRM proposed to require replacing 
the fuel filler cap with a fuel filler cap that has the hole drilled 
through it, part number (P/N) 52.23.07.010 (or FAA-approved equivalent 
P/N).
    Accomplishment of the proposed inspection as specified in the NPRM 
would be required in accordance with Avions Pierre Robin Service 
Bulletin No. 135, dated May 17, 1994. Accomplishment of the proposed 
replacement (if necessary) as specified in the NPRM would be required 
in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France.
    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 10 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish both the inspection and replacement (if 
necessary), and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 per 
work hour. Parts (if necessary) cost approximately $60 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1,200, or $120 per airplane.

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)

[[Page 24029]]

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:

99-10-02  Avions Pierre Robin: Amendment 39-11156; Docket No. 98-CE-
81-AD.

    Applicability: Model R2160 airplanes, all serial numbers up to 
and including serial number 249, 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 detect and correct the installation of improperly designed 
fuel venting system parts, which could result in an inadequate fuel 
supply to the engine with loss of engine power, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect to assure that the fuel filler 
cap has a 2.5 millimeter (mm) diameter hole drilled through it or 
that a vinyl piping is connected to the filler neck inside the 
cabin. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with Avions Pierre 
Robin Service Bulletin No. 135, dated May 17, 1994.
    (b) If neither of the conditions specified in paragraph (a) of 
this AD exists, prior to further flight, replace the fuel filler cap 
with a fuel filler cap that has a 2.5 mm diameter hole drilled 
through it, part number (P/N) 52.23.07.010 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent P/N). Accomplish this replacement in accordance with the 
applicable maintenance manual.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs.  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 
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 the service 
information referenced in this AD should be directed to Avions 
Pierre Robin, 1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-France; telephone: 
33-3 80 44 20 50; facsimile: 33-3 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.
    (f) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 135, dated 
May 17, 1994. 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 Avions Pierre Robin, 
1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-France. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 94-
130(A), dated June 8, 1994.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on June 18, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27, 1999.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-10969 Filed 5-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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