63714 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 201 / Wednesday, October 17, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Piaggio Aero Industries 

S.p.A. Model P–180 airplanes, all serial 

numbers, certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 32; Landing Gear. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on 

October 9, 2012. 

Earl Lawrence 

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–25254 Filed 10–16–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0801; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–106–AD; Amendment 

39–17212; AD 2012–20–06] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 737–200 

and –200C series airplanes. This AD 

was prompted by a report of elevator 

vibration and bearing swage failures. 

This AD requires, for certain airplanes, 

repetitive inspections for any 

discrepancies (such as a gap or a loose 

spacer) of the aft attach lugs for the 

elevator tab control mechanism, and 

replacement if necessary; and, for other 

airplanes, contacting the FAA for 

inspection or repair instructions and 

doing the work specified in those 

instructions. We are issuing this AD to 

detect and correct discrepancies in the 

aft attach lugs for the elevator tab 

control mechanism, which could result 

in elevator and tab vibration. 

Consequent structural failure of the 

elevator or horizontal stabilizer could 

result in loss of structural integrity and 

loss of airplane control. 

DATES: This AD is effective November 

21, 2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of November 21, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data 

& Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, 

MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; 

telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1; 

fax 206–766–5680; Internet https:// 

www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 

review copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate; 1601 Lind Avenue 

SW., Renton, WA. For information on 

the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

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 this AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Document 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: 

Kelly McGuckin, Aerospace Engineer, 

Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM– 

130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 

Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

WA 98057–3356; phone: (425) 917– 

6490; fax: (425) 917–6590; email: 

Kelly.McGuckin@faa.gov. 

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 published in the Federal 

Register on August 1, 2012 (77 FR 

45513). That NPRM proposed to require, 

for certain airplanes, repetitive 

inspections for any discrepancies (such 

as a gap or a loose spacer) of the aft 

attach lugs for the elevator tab control 

mechanism, and replacement if 

necessary; and, for other airplanes, 

contacting the FAA for inspection or 

repair instructions and doing the work 

specified in those instructions. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

have considered the comment received. 

Boeing supports the NPRM (77 FR 

45513, August 1, 2012). 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

as proposed except for minor editorial 

changes. We have determined that these 

minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 

45513, August 1, 2012) for correcting 

the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 45513, 

August 1, 2012). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 200 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators 

Inspection for Group 2 airplanes.7 work-hours × $85 per hour 

= $595 per inspection cycle.

$0 $595 per inspection cycle ...... $119,000 per inspection 

cycle. 

For Group 1 airplanes, we do not have 

definitive data that would enable us to 

provide cost estimates for the action 

specified in this AD. 

We estimate the following costs to do 

any necessary replacements that would 

be required based on the results of the 

inspection. We have no way of 

determining the number of aircraft that 

might need these replacements: 


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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 201 / Wednesday, October 17, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 63715 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Replacement of a mechanism ...................................... 7 work-hours × $85 per hour = $595 ........................... $29,289 $29,884 

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 

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), 

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(4) 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

2012–20–06 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–17212; Docket No. 

FAA–2012–0801; Directorate Identifier 

2012–NM–106–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective November 21, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 737–200 and –200C series airplanes, 

certificated in any category; as identified in 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–27A1302, 

dated April 24, 2012. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 27, Flight Controls. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

elevator vibration and bearing swage failures. 

We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 

discrepancies in the aft attach lugs for the 

elevator tab control mechanism, which could 

result in elevator and tab vibration. 

Consequent structural failure of the elevator 

or horizontal stabilizer could result in loss of 

structural integrity and loss of airplane 

control. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Actions for Group 1 Airplanes 

For Group 1 airplanes as identified in 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–27A1302, 

dated April 24, 2012: Within 1,500 flight 

cycles or 2,000 flight hours after the effective 

date of this AD, whichever occurs first, 

inspect the left and right elevator tab control 

mechanisms, and repair or replace as 

applicable, in accordance with a method 

approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a repair 

method to be approved, the repair must meet 

the certification basis of the airplane, and the 

approval must specifically refer to this AD. 

(h) Inspection for Group 2 Airplanes 

For Group 2 airplanes as identified in 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737–27A1302, 

dated April 24, 2012: Within 1,500 flight 

cycles or 2,000 flight hours after the effective 

date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do a 

detailed inspection for any discrepancies of 

the inboard and outboard aft attach lugs of 

the left and right elevator tab control 

mechanisms, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 737–27A1302, dated April 

24, 2012. Repeat the detailed inspection 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 

flight cycles or 2,000 flight hours, whichever 

occurs first. 

(i) Corrective Actions for Paragraph (h) of 

This AD 

If any discrepancy is found during any 

inspection required by paragraph (h) of this 

AD, before further flight, replace the 

discrepant elevator tab control mechanism 

with a non-discrepant mechanism by doing 

the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and 

(i)(2) of this AD. 

(1) Do a detailed inspection for 

discrepancies of the replacement elevator tab 

control mechanism; and, if no discrepancy is 

found, before further flight, install the 

replacement elevator tab control mechanism; 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

737–27A1302, dated April 24, 2012. If any 

discrepancy is found in that mechanism, 

then that mechanism may not be installed. 

(2) Repeat the inspection on the installed 

replacement elevator tab control mechanism 

in accordance with the requirements of 

paragraph (h) of this AD. 

(j) Inspection Report 

Submit a report of the findings (both 

positive and negative) of the initial 

inspection required by paragraph (h) of this 

AD to Boeing Commercial Airlines Group, 

Attention: Manager, Airline Support, email: 

rse.boecom@boeing.com; at the applicable 

time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of 

this AD. The report must include the 

inspection results, a description of any 

discrepancies found, the airplane serial 

number, and the number of landings and 

flight hours on the airplane. 

(1) If the inspection was done after the 

effective date of this AD: Submit the report 

within 30 days after the inspection. 

(2) If the inspection was accomplished 

prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit 

the report within 30 days after the effective 

date of this AD. 

(k) Parts Installation Limitations 

As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install an elevator tab control 

mechanism assembly, part number 65– 

79425–2, –3, –4, –5, or –6, on any airplane, 

unless the assembly has been inspected in 


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63716 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 201 / Wednesday, October 17, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

accordance with paragraph (i) of this AD both 

before and after installation. 

(l) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden 

Statement 

A federal agency may not conduct or 

sponsor, and a person is not required to 

respond to, nor shall a person be subject to 

a penalty for failure to comply with a 

collection of information subject to the 

requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 

Act unless that collection of information 

displays a current valid OMB Control 

Number. The OMB Control Number for this 

information collection is 2120–0056. Public 

reporting for this collection of information is 

estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per 

response, including the time for reviewing 

instructions, completing and reviewing the 

collection of information. All responses to 

this collection of information are mandatory. 

Comments concerning the accuracy of this 

burden and suggestions for reducing the 

burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 

Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 

20591, Attn: Information Collection 

Clearance Officer, AES–200. 

(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, has 

the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, 

if requested using the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 

send your request to your principal inspector 

or local Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 

attention of the person identified in the 

Related Information section of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(n) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Kelly McGuckin, Aerospace 

Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, 

ANM–130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 

Renton, WA 98057–3356; phone: (425) 917– 

6490; fax: (425) 917–6590; email: 

Kelly.McGuckin@faa.gov. 

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737– 

27A1302, dated April 24, 2012. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 

Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, 

Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone 206– 

544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; 

Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

(5) You may view this 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/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 28, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplanes Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–24949 Filed 10–16–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0493; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–180–AD; Amendment 

39–17213; AD 2012–20–07] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are superseding an 

existing airworthiness directive (AD) for 

all Airbus Model A318–111 and –112 

airplanes; and all Model A319, A320, 

and A321 series airplanes. That AD 

currently requires revising the 

Airworthiness Limitations Section 

(ALS) of the Instructions for Continued 

Airworthiness to incorporate new 

limitations for fuel tank systems. This 

new AD requires revising the 

maintenance program to incorporate 

revised fuel maintenance and inspection 

tasks, and adds airplanes to the 

applicability. This AD was prompted by 

Airbus issuing more restrictive 

maintenance requirements and/or 

airworthiness limitations. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent the potential 

of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, 

which, in combination with flammable 

fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank 

explosion and consequent loss of the 

airplane. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

November 21, 2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of November 21, 2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of December 14, 2009 (74 FR 62219, 

November 27, 2009). 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain other publications listed in 

this AD as of August 28, 2007 (72 FR 

40222, July 24, 2007). 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1405; 

fax (425) 227–1149. 

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 May 31, 2012 (77 FR 32060), 

and proposed to supersede AD 2007– 

15–06 R1, Amendment 39–16097 (74 FR 

62219, November 27, 2009). That NPRM 

proposed to correct an unsafe condition 

for the specified products. The MCAI 

states: 

The airworthiness limitations are currently 

published in the Airbus A318/A319/A320/ 

A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section 

(ALS). 

The Fuel Airworthiness Limitations (FAL) 

are specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/ 

A321 FAL Document reference 95A.1931/05, 

which is approved by the European Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) and referenced in the 

Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 5. 

The issue 4 of Airbus A318/A319/A320/ 

A321 FAL Document introduces more 

restrictive maintenance requirements and/or 

airworthiness limitations. Failure to comply 

with these more restrictive maintenance 

requirements and airworthiness limitations 

contained in this document constitutes an 

unsafe condition. 

This [EASA] AD retains the requirement of 

EASA AD 2006–0203, which is superseded, 

and requires the implementation of the new 

or more restrictive maintenance requirements 

and/or airworthiness limitations as specified 

in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 FAL 

Document issue 4. 

You may obtain further information by 

examining the MCAI in the AD docket. 


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