[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60161-60163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29232]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-87-AD; Amendment 39-10193; AD 97-23-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Avions Pierre Robin Model R3000 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all Avions Pierre Robin Model R3000 airplanes. This AD 
requires replacing the attachment bolt between the pitch control cables 
and control column lever with a bolt of improved design. This AD is the 
result of mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 
by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified in 
this AD are intended to prevent the pitch control cables on the control 
column from becoming jammed due to failure of the attachment bolt, 
which could result in a reduction in the directional controllability of 
the airplane.

DATES: Effective December 1, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 1, 1997.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before December 8, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-87-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from 
Avions Pierre Robin, 1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-France; 
telephone: 03 80 44 20 50; facsimile: 03 80 35 60 80. This information 
may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration

[[Page 60162]]

(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 97-CE-87-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Karl M. Schletzbaum, Aerospace 
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service, 
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone 
(816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to Issuance of the Proposed AD

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all Avion Pierre Robin Model R3000 
airplanes. The DGAC reports an incident where the operator of one of 
these airplanes discovered unusual wear of the pitch control cables to 
the control column. Further examination revealed that the attachment 
bolt between the pitch control cables and control column lever had 
failed. This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could 
cause the pitch control cables on the control column to jam and result 
in a reduction in the directional controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Avions Pierre Robin has issued Service Bulletin No.146, Revision 1, 
dated September 26, 1996, which specifies procedures for replacing the 
attachment bolt between the pitch control cables and control column 
lever, part number (P/N) 95.13.19.000, with a bolt of improved design, 
P/N 27.36.03.140.
    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD 96-167(A)R1, dated December 4, 1996, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

The FAA's Determination

    This airplane model is manufactured in France 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 FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this 
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of This AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Pierre Robin Model R3000 airplanes of the 
same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is issuing an 
AD. This AD requires replacing the attachment bolt between the pitch 
control cables and control column lever, part number (P/N) 
95.13.19.000, with a bolt of improved design, P/N 27.36.03.140. 
Accomplishment of the replacement required by this AD is in accordance 
with the previously referenced service bulletin.

Cost Impact

    None of the Avions Pierre Robin airplanes affected by this action 
are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability 
of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign 
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. 
However, the FAA considers this rule necessary to ensure that the 
unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject 
airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register, accomplishment of the required actions would take 
approximately 3 workhours at an average labor charge of $60 per 
workhour. Parts to accomplish the replacement cost $20. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be $200 per airplane 
that would become registered in the United States.

The Effective Date of This AD

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 97-CE-87-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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.

[[Page 60163]]

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 a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows

97-23-05  Avions Pierre Robin: Amendment 39-10193; Docket No. 97-CE-
87-AD.

    Applicability: Model R3000 airplanes, all serial numbers, 
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 (c) 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 prior to further flight after the effective 
date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent the pitch control cables on the control column from 
becoming jammed due to failure of the attachment bolt, which could 
result in a reduction in the directional controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the attachment bolt between the pitch control cables 
and control column lever, part number (P/N) 95.13.19.000 (or FAA-
approved equivalent part number), with a bolt of improved design, P/
N 27.36.03.140 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number), in 
accordance with Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 146, 
Revision 1, dated September 26, 1996.
    (b) 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.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1201 
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request should 
be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who 
may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Avions Pierre Robin Service Bulletin No. 146, 
Revision 1, dated September 26, 1996. 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 Avions Pierre Robin, 1, route de Troyes, 21121 Darois-
France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri, 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 French AD 96-
167(A)R1, dated December 4, 1996.

    (e) This amendment (39-10193) becomes effective on December 1, 
1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 29, 1997.
Mary Ellen A. Schutt,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29232 Filed 11-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P