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

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 21, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35769-35772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16929]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0646; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-055-AD; 
Amendment 39-15974; AD 2009-15-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the

[[Page 35770]]

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:

    During the landing roll a Corvette aircraft inclined to the Left 
Hand (LH) side as a result of the uncoupling of the left main 
landing gear shock absorber upper and lower cylinders, leading the 
left wheel tire to rub against the left wing under surface and to 
deflate, and the left wing tip fuel tank to strike the runway 
surface.
    The investigation showed that this uncoupling resulted from the 
loosening of the shock absorber locking system nut and its 
associated lock washer.
* * * * *
The unsafe condition is reduced structural integrity of the main 
landing gear, which could cause the wing tip fuel tank to strike the 
runway surface and potentially result in a fire. This AD requires 
actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 5, 2009.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 5, 
2009.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 this AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0041, dated February 25, 2009 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During the landing roll a Corvette aircraft inclined to the Left 
Hand (LH) side as a result of the uncoupling of the left main 
landing gear shock absorber upper and lower cylinders, leading the 
left wheel tire to rub against the left wing under surface and to 
deflate, and the left wing tip fuel tank to strike the runway 
surface.
    The investigation showed that this uncoupling resulted from the 
loosening of the shock absorber locking system nut and its 
associated lock washer.
    This AD requires the inspection of the locking system of the 
main landing gear shock absorber and the accomplishment of the 
associated corrective actions.

The unsafe condition is reduced structural integrity of the main 
landing gear, which could cause the wing tip fuel tank to strike the 
runway surface and potentially result in a fire. Required actions 
include doing a general visual inspection to verify the proper position 
of the lock washer and the tightening torque of the nut of the shock 
absorber locking system on both the left-hand and right-hand main 
landing gear, and doing corrective actions including replacing the lock 
washer, installing the main landing gear shock absorber body, and 
installing the main landing gear shock absorber, as applicable. You may 
obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Corvette Service Bulletin 32-19, dated January 9, 
2009. The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.
    There are no products of this type currently registered in the 
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the 
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Differences Between the 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.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
unnecessary.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0646; Directorate 
Identifier 2009-NM-055-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

[[Page 35771]]

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.

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 AD:

2009-15-11 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-15974. Docket No. FAA-2009-
0646; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-055-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 
5, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

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

Subject

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

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    During the landing roll a Corvette aircraft inclined to the Left 
Hand (LH) side as a result of the uncoupling of the left main 
landing gear shock absorber upper and lower cylinders, leading the 
left wheel tire to rub against the left wing under surface and to 
deflate, and the left wing tip fuel tank to strike the runway 
surface.
    The investigation showed that this uncoupling resulted from the 
loosening of the shock absorber locking system nut and its 
associated lock washer.
    This AD requires the inspection of the locking system of the 
main landing gear shock absorber and the accomplishment of the 
associated corrective actions.

The unsafe condition is reduced structural integrity of the main 
landing gear, which could cause the wing tip fuel tank to strike the 
runway surface and potentially result in a fire. Required actions 
include doing a general visual inspection to verify the proper 
position of the lock washer and the tightening torque of the nut of 
the shock absorber locking system on both the left-hand and right-
hand main landing gear, and doing corrective actions including 
replacing the lock washer, installing the main landing gear shock 
absorber body, and installing the main landing gear shock absorber, 
as applicable.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection to verify the proper position of the lock 
washer (located opposite the nut notch) and check the tightening 
torque of the nut of the shock absorber locking system on both the 
left-hand and right-hand main landing gear, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Corvette Service Bulletin 32-
19, dated January 9, 2009.
    (2) In case of findings of improper assembly during the 
inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further 
flight, replace the lock washer, install the main landing gear shock 
absorber body, and install the main landing gear shock absorber, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Corvette 
Service Bulletin 32-19, dated January 9, 2009. Within 120 flight 
cycles but not before 100 flight cycles, repeat the inspection 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (3) In case of no findings during the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, no further inspections are required.
    (4) After the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
main landing gear shock absorber on which the locking system (nut 
and lock washer) is not compliant with the approved configuration as 
identified by Airbus Corvette Service Bulletin 32-19, dated January 
9, 2009.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service 
information as follows: No differences.

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: Dan 
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149. Before 
using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, 
notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal 
avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal 
inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC 
approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (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 Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness 
Directive 2009-0041, dated February 25, 2009; and Airbus Corvette 
Service Bulletin 32-19, dated January 9, 2009; for related 
information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Airbus Corvette Service Bulletin 32-19, dated 
January 9, 2009, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the 
AD specifies otherwise. (Only page 1 of this

[[Page 35772]]

document specifies the issue date of the document; no other page of 
this document contains this information.)
    (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 ATR-
GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]e Pierre 
Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; 
fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.aerochain.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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 Renton, Washington, on July 2, 2009.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-16929 Filed 7-20-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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