Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Design Limited Model R2160 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 5, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6592-6594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1829]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0249; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-088-AD; 
Amendment 39-15361; AD 2008-03-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Design Limited Model 
R2160 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 distortion of the rudder bars due to rudder control forces 
during aerobatic operation and nose wheel steering reaction forces. 
Rudder bar distortion could result in reduced control or loss of 
control. This AD requires actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 11, 2008.
    As of March 11, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 
329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090.

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 November 27, 2007 
(72 FR 66089) and proposed to supersede AD 87-08-01, Amendment 39-5601, 
published in 1987 and AD 99-01-04, Amendment 39-10971, published in 
1999. That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states that rudder control forces during 
aerobatic operation and nose wheel steering reaction forces may cause 
rudder bar distortion. Rudder bar distortion could result in reduced 
control or loss of control.
    The MCAI requires you to replace the left and right rudder bars 
with reinforced rudder bars.

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 FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 9 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 3 work-hours per product to 
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $657 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $8,073 or $897 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.

[[Page 6593]]

    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 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://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
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 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, 
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 removing Amendment 39-5601 and 
Amendment 39-10971 and adding the following new AD:

2008-03-11 Alpha Aviation Design Limited: Amendment 39-15361; Docket 
No. FAA-2007-0249; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-088-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 
11, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 87-08-01, Amendment 39-5601; and AD 
99-01-04, Amendment 39-10971.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model R2160 airplanes, serial numbers 1 
through 378, that:
    (1) Are certificated in any category; and
    (2) Have not installed the improved design rudder bars part 
number (P/N) 27.40.31.010 and P/N 27.40.31.020 following either 
Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 143, dated September 8, 
1995, or Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-003, dated October 
19, 2007.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states that rudder control forces during aerobatic operation and 
nose wheel steering reaction forces may cause rudder bar distortion. 
Rudder bar distortion could result in reduced or loss of control. 
The MCAI requires you to replace the left and right rudder bars with 
reinforced rudder bars.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 99-01-04

    (f) For airplanes with serial numbers 250 through 378: Unless 
already done, within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
March 12, 1999 (the effective date of AD 99-01-04) replace the left 
and right rudder bars, part number (P/N) 27.23.01.010 (left) and P/N 
27.23.01.020 (right), with the reinforced rudder bars, P/N 
27.40.31.010 (left) and P/N 27.40.31.020 (right) or FAA-equivalent 
part numbers, following Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-
003, dated October 19, 2007.

New Requirements of This AD: Actions and Compliance

    (g) For airplanes with serial numbers 1 through 249: Unless 
already done, within the next 50 hours TIS after the effective date 
of this AD or within the next 3 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the left and right rudder 
bars, P/N 27.23.05.010 (left) and P/N 27.23.05.020 (right), with the 
reinforced rudder bars, P/N 27.40.31.010 (left) and P/N 27.40.31.020 
(right) or FAA-equivalent part numbers, following Alpha Aviation 
Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-003, dated October 19, 2007.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, 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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090. 
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 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (i) Refer to New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority AD DCA/R2000/
23B, dated October 25, 2007; and Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-
SB-27-003, dated October 19, 2007, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Alpha Aviation Service Bulletin AA-SB-27-003, 
dated October 19, 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 Alpha 
Aviaton, Ingram Road, Hamilton Airport, RD 2, Hamilton 2021, New 
Zealand; telephone: +64 7 843 7070; fax: +64 7 843 8040; Internet: 
www.alphaaviation.co.nz.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For

[[Page 6594]]

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 January 23, 2008.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-1829 Filed 2-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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