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[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5762-5764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2468]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-262-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. 
(CASA), Model C-212 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all CASA Model C-212 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require rework of the nose landing gear 
(NLG); modification of the hydraulic steering system; a test of the 
cable tension for the nosewheel steering system when abnormal vibration 
occurs, and adjustment of the cable tension, if necessary; and a 
revision to the

[[Page 5763]]

Limitations section of the airplane flight manual to include certain 
procedures to be performed during the takeoff run. This action is 
necessary to prevent failure of the auxiliary landing gear direction 
system, which could result in abnormal vibrations during takeoff and 
landing runs, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 8, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-262-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-262-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, 
discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change 
the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to 
the proposed AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) 
for each request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NM-262-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 2002-NM-262-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direcci[oacute]n General de Aviaci[oacute]n Civil (DGAC), which 
is the airworthiness authority for Spain, notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all CASA Model C-212 series airplanes. 
The DGAC advises that failures of the auxiliary landing gear direction 
system have been reported, which produced abnormal vibrations during 
takeoff and landing runs. The failure was caused by a gradual loss of 
hydraulic oil pressure in the selector direction valve, and by a loss 
of tension in the cable for the nosewheel steering system. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in the failure of the 
auxiliary landing gear direction system, which could cause abnormal 
vibrations during takeoff and landing runs, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    CASA has issued CASA Service Bulletin 212-32-21, Revision 2, dated 
November 10, 1987, which describes procedures for reworking the nose 
landing gear (NLG). The rework of the NLG includes replacing bushings 
and washers with new parts, if necessary; installing a new helicoil; 
re-identifying and re-installing the lower attachment fitting; 
installing a new lockwasher and nut; installing a new nut on the shock 
absorber assembly; removing any gear crown assembly that has broken 
teeth, dirt, corrosion, or uneven wear, and replacing it with a new or 
serviceable gear crown assembly; re-identifying and re-installing the 
ring nut of the shock absorber assembly; and installing a new actuator.
    CASA has also issued EADS CASA Service Bulletin SB-212-32-22, 
Revision 2, dated July 28, 1997, which describes procedures for 
modifying the hydraulic steering system of the NLG. The modification of 
hydraulic steering system involves modifying the hydraulic installation 
and the nose fuselage; modifying the electrical installation and the 
center instrument panel, as applicable; and modifying the electrical 
system and overhead panel, as applicable. This service bulletin also 
contains procedures for testing the cable tension of the nosewheel 
steering system, and adjusting the tension, if necessary.
    CASA has also issued EADS CASA COM 212-172, Revision 04, dated 
December 9, 2002; and CASA COM 212-173, Revision 3, dated February 22, 
1995. These communications contain information and procedures related 
to maintenance, troubleshooting, overhaul, tests, and tolerances for 
landing gear units of the affected airplanes. The information in these 
documents has been consolidated from several different documents 
including service bulletins, maintenance manuals, technical orders, and 
the structural repair manual.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins 
and the COMs is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The DGAC classified these service bulletins and COMs as 
mandatory and issued Spanish airworthiness directive 01/02, dated April 
17, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
Spain.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in Spain and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The

[[Page 5764]]

FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC, reviewed all available 
information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of 
this type design that are certificated for operation in the United 
States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously, 
except as discussed below. The proposed AD would also require revising 
the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual to include 
certain procedures to be performed during the takeoff run.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 27 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 6 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed rework of the NLG; and 
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of this proposed action on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $10,530, or $390 per airplane.
    We estimate that it would take approximately 92 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed modification of the hydraulic 
steering system. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this 
proposed action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $161,460, or 
$5,980 per airplane.
    We estimate that it would take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to revise the Limitations section of the airplane flight 
manual. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this proposed action 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,755, or $65 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures 
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to 
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Docket 2002-NM-262-AD.

    Applicability: All Model C-212 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the auxiliary landing gear direction 
system, which could result in abnormal vibrations during takeoff and 
landing runs, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

Rework and Modification

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
    (1) Rework the nose landing gear (NLG) in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of CASA Service Bulletin SB212-32-21, 
Revision 2, dated November 10, 1987.
    (2) Modify the hydraulic steering system of the NLG in 
accordance with the Instructions for Accomplishment of EADS CASA 
Service Bulletin SB-212-32-22, Revision 2, dated July 28, 1997.

Tension Test and Adjustment

    (b) Within 600 flight hours after any abnormal vibration of the 
nosewheel steering system occurs, test the cable tension of the 
nosewheel steering system. Adjust the tension, if necessary. 
Accomplish these actions in accordance with EADS CASA COM 212-172, 
Revision 04, dated December 9, 2002; or CASA COM 212-173, Revision 
3, dated February 22, 1995; as applicable.

Airplane Flight Manual Revision

    (c) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) to include the following statement. This may be accomplished 
by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

``Nose wheel malfunction during take-off run--Initiate or 
``perform'' normal RTO procedures.''

    Note 1: When a statement identical to that in paragraph (c) of 
this AD has been included in the general revisions of the AFM, the 
general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the copy of this 
AD may be removed from the AFM.

Parts Installation

    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane an NLG unless it has been reworked in accordance 
with paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Spanish 
airworthiness directive 01/02, dated April 17, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 29, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-2468 Filed 2-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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