Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 14, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45311-45312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15586]



[[Page 45311]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28259; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-024-AD; 
Amendment 39-15154; AD 2007-16-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    Cracks have been evidenced on the nose landing gear LH (left-
hand) and RH (right-hand) hinge fittings due to stress corrosion on 
in-service aircraft. If undetected, they could lead to complete 
rupture of one or two of the fittings.

The unsafe condition is collapse of the nose landing gear. We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 18, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
18, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2677; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 24, 2007 (72 FR 
29086). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Cracks have been evidenced on the nose landing gear LH (left-
hand) and RH (right-hand) hinge fittings due to stress corrosion on 
in-service aircraft. If undetected, they could lead to complete 
rupture of one or two of the fittings.

The unsafe condition is collapse of the nose landing gear. The MCAI 
requires repetitive inspections of the nose landing gear LH and RH 
hinge fittings for cracking, and replacing the hinge fitting with a new 
fitting if any cracking is found. You may obtain further information by 
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 3 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 7 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD to the U.S. operators to be $1,680, or $560 per product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,

[[Page 45312]]

the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-16-15 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-15154. Docket No. FAA-2007-
28259; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-024-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 
September 18, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) 
airplanes, all serial numbers; certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Cracks have been evidenced on the nose landing gear LH (left-
hand) and RH (right-hand) hinge fittings due to stress corrosion on 
in-service aircraft. If undetected, they could lead to complete 
rupture of one or two of the fittings.

The unsafe condition is collapse of the nose landing gear. The MCAI 
requires repetitive inspections of the nose landing gear LH and RH 
hinge fittings for cracking, and replacing the hinge fitting with a 
new fitting if any cracking is found.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 200 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Inspect the nose landing gear LH 
(left-hand) and RH (right-hand) hinge fittings for cracking, in 
accordance with the instructions of Airbus SN-601 Corvette Service 
Bulletin 32-17, dated September 23, 2004.
    (2) In case of finding one or several cracks, before further 
flight, replace the hinge fitting with a new hinge fitting in 
accordance with the instructions of Airbus SN-601 Corvette Service 
Bulletin 32-17, dated September 23, 2004. Repeat the requirements of 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
3,600 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first.
    (3) If no crack is detected, repeat the requirements of 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
3,600 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: Although the MCAI or service information allows further 
flight after cracks are found during compliance with the required 
action, paragraph (f)(2) of this AD requires that you repair the 
cracks before further flight.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Mike 
Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2677; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI French Airworthiness Directive F-2004-169, 
dated October 27, 2004; and Airbus SN-601 Corvette Service Bulletin 
32-17, dated September 23, 2004; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Airbus SN-601 Corvette Service Bulletin 32-17, 
dated September 23, 2004, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, 
France.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, 
or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 2, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-15586 Filed 8-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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