[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 26, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28482-28483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13395]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-331-AD; Amendment 39-10538; AD 98-11-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.
(CASA) Model CN-235 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all CASA Model CN-235 series airplanes, that requires
modification of the passenger and crew doors and repetitive visual
inspections, adjustments, and tests of the passenger and crew door
latching and locking systems to ensure correct operation. This
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent inadvertent opening of a
door during flight of the airplane, which could result in rapid
decompression of the passenger cabin.
DATES: Effective June 30, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 30, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain.
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all CASA Model CN-235 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 27, 1998 (63
FR 14861). That action proposed to require modification of the
passenger and crew doors and repetitive visual inspections,
adjustments, and tests of the passenger and crew door latching and
locking systems to ensure correct operation.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Explanation of Editorial Changes
In the proposed AD, the FAA inadvertently omitted a reference to
Annex I, Revision 2, and Annex II, Revision 2, of CASA Communication
COM 235-098, Revision 02, dated October 19, 1995. Therefore, the FAA
has revised paragraph (a)(2) of the final rule accordingly.
Additionally, the FAA has revised paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
final rule to include a reference to the CASA COM mentioned previously,
which was inadvertently omitted from the proposed AD.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously described.
The FAA has
[[Page 28483]]
determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD.
It will take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480, or $240 per
airplane, per inspection cycle.
It will take approximately 60 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $406 per airplane. Based
on these figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,012, or $4,006 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
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) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from 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 the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-11-11 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39-
10538. Docket 97-NM-331-AD.
Applicability: All Model CN-235 series airplanes, including
serial number (S/N) C-011, 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 (b) 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, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent inadvertent opening of a door during flight, which
could result in rapid decompression of the passenger cabin,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 3 months or 300 flight hours after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs later, accomplish the requirements of
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
(1) Modify the passenger and crew doors in accordance with CASA
Service Bulletin SB-235-52-54, Revision 1, dated October 24, 1995;
and
(2) Perform follow-on actions (i.e., inspections for
discrepancies, adjustments, and tests) in accordance with CASA COM
235-098, Revision 02, dated October 19, 1995, including Annex I,
Revision 2, and Annex II, Revision 2. If any discrepancy is found,
prior to further flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action
in accordance with the COM. Thereafter accomplish the requirements
of paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Repeat the visual inspection for discrepancies of the
passenger door and crew door latching and locking systems, in
accordance with paragraph 1. of CASA COM 235-098, Revision 02, dated
October 19, 1995, at intervals not to exceed 300 flight hours. If
any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, accomplish the
applicable corrective action in accordance with the COM.
(ii) Repeat adjustments and tests of the door latching and
locking systems, in accordance with paragraphs 2. and 3. of CASA COM
235-093, Revision 02, dated October 19, 1995; and paragraph V of
Annex II of CASA COM 235-098, Revision 02, dated October 19, 1995;
at intervals not to exceed 1,200 flight hours. If any discrepancy is
found during any adjustment or test, prior to further flight,
accomplish the applicable corrective action in accordance with the
COM.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 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) The actions shall be done in accordance with CASA Service
Bulletin SB-235-52-54, Revision 1, dated October 24, 1995, and CASA
Communication COM 235-098, Revision 02, dated October 19, 1995,
including Annex I, Revision 2, and Annex II, Revision 2. 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 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.,
Getafe, Madrid, Spain. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 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 Spanish
airworthiness directive 3/95, Revision 1, dated October 1, 1995.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 30, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 14, 1998.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13395 Filed 5-22-98; 8:45 am]
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