[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5744-5746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2674]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-89-AD; Amendment 39-9918; AD 97-03-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all CASA Model C-212 series airplanes, that requires that 
the rudder pedal assemblies be adjusted prior to each flight until the 
rudder pedal setting mechanisms are modified. This amendment also 
requires replacement of the attachment rails for certain flight crew 
seats. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that the flight 
crew may not be able to achieve the maximum certified deflection of the 
rudder at the airplane's minimum controllable airspeed and in other 
flight conditions, because the existing range of settings for adjusting 
the rudder pedals restricts the flight crew in its ability to move the 
rudder. This condition, if not corrected, could result in insufficient 
rudder deflection, and consequent reduction in controllability of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective March 14, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the

[[Page 5745]]

regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
March 14, 1997.

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: Greg Dunn, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2799; fax (206) 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 C-212 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 12, 1996 
(61 FR 58014). That action proposed to require that the rudder pedal 
assemblies be adjusted prior to each flight until the rudder pedal 
setting mechanisms are modified (by the installation of stops and other 
parts). That action also proposed to require replacement of the 
attachment rails for certain flight crew seats.
    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.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 41 CASA Model C-212 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD.
    The required adjustment of the rudder pedal assemblies will take 
approximately .10 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the adjustment requirement on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $246, or $6 per airplane, per adjustment (prior to each flight).
    The required modification and replacement will take approximately 
64 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour. Required parts will cost between $2,000 and $5,500 
per airplane, depending on the kit that is installed. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of these actions on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be between $239,440 and $382,940, or between $5,840 and 
$9,340 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: 97-03-13 CASA: Amendment 39-9918. Docket 96-
NM-89-AD.

    Applicability: All Model C-212 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (d) 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 the settings for the rudder pedals from restricting 
the flight crew in its ability to move the rudder to its maximum 
certified deflection, which could result in insufficient deflection 
and consequent reduction in controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) As of the effective date of this AD, prior to each flight, 
adjust the left and right rudder pedal setting mechanisms in 
accordance with CASA Flight Operation Instructions COM 212-245, 
Revision 1, dated November 16, 1993, until the modification required 
by paragraph (b) of this AD has been accomplished.
    (b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the left and right rudder pedal assemblies by installing stops and 
other parts, in accordance with CASA Service Bulletin SB-212-27-47, 
Revision 1, dated April 13, 1994. Accomplishment of this 
modification constitutes terminating action for the repetitive 
adjustments required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) For CASA Model C-212 series airplanes listed in CASA Service 
Bulletin SB-212-27-47, Revision 1, dated April 13, 1994: Within 6 
months after the effective date of this AD, replace the attachment 
rails for the pilot and co-pilot seats in accordance with CASA 
Service Bulletin SB-212-27-47, Revision 1, dated April 13, 1994.
    (d) 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, Manager, Standardization Branch, 
ANM-113, 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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (e) 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

[[Page 5746]]

a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with CASA Flight 
Operation Instructions COM 212-245, Revision 1, dated November 16, 
1993; and CASA Service Bulletin SB-212-27-47, Revision 1, dated 
April 13, 1994, which contains the following list of effective 
pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Revision level                      
           Page number               shown on page    Date shown on page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-5, 8, 14-17, 19-23, 26, 34, 35  1.................  April 13, 1994.   
6, 7, 9-13, 18, 24, 25, 27-33...  Original..........  September 14,     
                                                       1993.            
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on March 14, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 29, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-2674 Filed 2-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U