Airworthiness Directives; Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (Previously the Lancair Company) Models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 3, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15822-15824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6011]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27628; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-025-AD; 
Amendment 39-15011; AD 2007-07-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing 
(Previously the Lancair Company) Models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and 
LC42-550FG Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (previously The Lancair Company) Models 
LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG airplanes. This AD requires you 
to add information to the Limitations section of the Airplane Flight 
Manual (AFM). This AD also requires you to repetitively inspect the 
aileron and the elevator linear bearings and control rods for foreign 
object debris, scarring, or damage and take all necessary corrective 
actions. This AD results from reports of possible foreign object 
contamination of the linear bearings. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
jamming in the aileron and elevator control systems, which could result 
in failure. This failure could lead to loss of control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 9, 2007.
    On April 9, 2007 the Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by June 4, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to  http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    To get the service information identified in this AD, contact 
Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corp., 22550 Nelson Road, Bend, Oregon 
97701; telephone: (888) 599-8660; e-mail: 
[email protected].
    To view the comments to this AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. The 
docket number is FAA-2007-27628; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-025-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Morfitt, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
WA 98057; telephone: (425) 917-6405; fax: (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 15823]]

Discussion

    We received a report of an incident involving a pilot flying a 
Model LC41-550FG airplane. The pilot experienced a roll (aileron) 
system control jam, which prevented him from rolling the airplane in 
one direction. Investigation revealed the cause of the problem to be 
foreign material lodged in a linear bearing (part number LA57272500), 
which supports a push-pull tube in the aileron control system.
    This same bearing is used in two places (left and right) in the 
aileron control system and four places (two left and two right) in the 
elevator control system. The foreign material (hardened pieces of 
adhesive material), which was apparently present at the time of 
airplane delivery, randomly lodged in the linear bearing after 
approximately 200 flight hours. This shows that potential exists for 
similar events to occur at any time if foreign material is present near 
one of these bearings.
    The internal control systems are identical for all three airplane 
models affected by this AD. Jamming or roughness in the control systems 
also interferes with the proper functioning of the autopilot.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in jamming of the 
aileron and elevator control systems, which could result in loss of 
control.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Columbia Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-07-002, dated 
March 14, 2007. The service information describes procedures for adding 
information to the ``Before Starting Engine'' checklist and inspecting 
the aileron and the elevator linear bearings and control rods for 
foreign object debris, scarring, or damage.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This AD requires 
adding information to the Limitations section of the AFM. This AD also 
requires you to repetitively inspect the aileron and the elevator 
linear bearings and control rods for foreign object debris, scarring, 
or damage and take all necessary corrective actions.
    In preparing this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft 
operators to get technical information and information on operational 
and economic impacts. We did not receive any information through these 
contacts. If received, we would have included a discussion of any 
information that may have influenced this action in the rulemaking 
docket.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, 
or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-
27628; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-025-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 
of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this AD.

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 that this AD:
    (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.
    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 that contains the AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is 
located at the street address stated 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, 
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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2007-07-06 Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (Previously The Lancair 
Company): Amendment 39-15011; Docket No. FAA-2007-27628; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-CE-025-AD.

[[Page 15824]]

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on April 9, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LC40-550FG................................  40001 through 40079.
LC41-550FG................................  41001 and up.
LC42-550FG................................  42001 and up.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is the result of reports of possible foreign object 
contamination of the linear bearings. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent jamming in the aileron and elevator control systems, which 
could result in failure. This failure could lead to loss of control.

Compliance

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Insert Appendix A of      Before further        The owner/operator
 Columbia Mandatory Service    flight after April    holding at least a
 Bulletin SB-07-002, dated     9, 2007 (the          private pilot
 March 14, 2007, into the      effective date of     certificate as
 Limitations section of the    this AD).             authorized by
 Airplane Flight Manual                              section 43.7 of the
 (AFM).                                              Federal Aviation
                                                     Regulations (14 CFR
                                                     43.7) may do the
                                                     AFM insertion
                                                     requirement of this
                                                     AD. Make an entry
                                                     in the aircraft
                                                     records showing
                                                     compliance with
                                                     this portion of the
                                                     AD following
                                                     section 43.9 of the
                                                     Federal Aviation
                                                     Regulations (14 CFR
                                                     43.9).
(2) Access and inspect the    Initially inspect     Following Columbia
 aileron and elevator linear   within the next 35    Mandatory Service
 bearings on both wings for    hours time-in-        Bulletin SB-07-002,
 foreign object debris.        service (TIS) after   dated March 14,
                               April 9, 2007 (the    2007, and the
                               effective date of     applicable
                               this AD).             maintenance manual.
                               Repetitively
                               inspect thereafter
                               at intervals not to
                               exceed 12 calendar
                               months.
(3) Remove any debris found   Remove any debris     Following Columbia
 during any inspection         before further        Mandatory Service
 required in paragraph         flight after the      Bulletin SB-07-002,
 (e)(2) of this AD.            inspection in which   dated March 14,
                               the debris is found.  2007, and the
                                                     applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
(4) Inspect the aileron and   Initially inspect     Following Columbia
 elevator control rods for     within the next 35    Mandatory Service
 scarring or damage near the   hours TIS after       Bulletin SB-07-002,
 linear bearings.              April 9, 2007 (the    dated March 14,
                               effective date of     2007, and the
                               this AD).             applicable
                               Repetitively          maintenance manual.
                               inspect thereafter
                               at intervals not to
                               exceed 12 calendar
                               months.
(5) Contact the manufacturer  Make all repairs      Following Columbia
 at the address specified in   before further        Mandatory Service
 paragraph (g)(2) of this AD   flight after the      Bulletin SB-07-002,
 for a repair scheme if any    inspection in which   dated March 14,
 scarring or damage is found   scarring or damage    2007, and the
 during any inspection         is found.             applicable
 required in paragraph                               maintenance manual.
 (e)(4) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, ATTN: Jeff Morfitt, Aerospace Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA 98057; telephone: (425) 917-6405; fax: (425) 917-6590, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (g) You must use Columbia Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-07-002, 
dated March 14, 2007, 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 
Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corp., 22550 Nelson Road, Bend, 
Oregon 97701; telephone: (888) 599-8660; e-mail: 
[email protected].
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 27, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-6011 Filed 4-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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