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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1996-1999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-457]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0014; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-066-AD; 
Amendment 39-16577; AD 2011-02-04]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LP (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated) Models SA26-AT, 
SA26-T, SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), 
SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the 
cockpit heated windshields for damage and replacing damaged 
windshields. This AD was prompted by reports from the windshield 
manufacturer of inner glass ply fracture. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct damage to the cockpit heated windshield, which could 
result in failure of the windshield with consequent rapid cabin 
decompression and loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective January 24, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publication listed in the AD as of January 24, 
2011.
    We must receive comments on this AD by February 28, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact M7 Aerospace 
LP, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 
824-9421; Internet: http://www.m7aerospace.com. You may review copies 
of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust St., Kansas City, Missouri 64016. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148.

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 street address for 
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hung Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Fort 
Worth Airplane Certification Office, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137-0150; phone: (817) 222-5155; fax: (817) 222-5960; e-
mail: hung.v.nguyen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received reports from the windshield manufacturer of inner glass 
ply fractures found on 19 windshields over a 32-month period. As a 
result of the fractures, a windshield on one of the affected airplanes 
was reported to have failed completely.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
cockpit heated windshield, causing rapid cabin decompression and loss 
of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001, 226-56-011, 
227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010. These service 
bulletins describe procedures for repetitively inspecting the cockpit 
heated windshield for damage and replacing damaged windshields.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between the AD and the Service Information.''

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. The design approval holder is 
currently developing a modification that will address the unsafe 
condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed, 
approved, and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because this 
condition could result in failure of the cockpit windshield. This 
failure could lead to rapid cabin decompression and loss of control of 
the airplane. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2011-0014 and 
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-066-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

[[Page 1997]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 362 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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the left-hand and right-    2 work-hours x $85    Not applicable...........  $170 per inspection   $61,540 per inspection cycle.
 hand cockpit heated windshield.     per hour = $170 per                              cycle.
                                     inspection cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 this 
replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                    Labor cost           Parts cost                Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace/repair damaged            40 work-hours per    $14,055 per          $17,455 per windshield.
 windshield.                       windshield x $85     windshield.
                                   per hour = $3,400
                                   per windshield.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2011-02-04 M7 Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated): Amendment 39-16577; Docket No. 
FAA-2011-0014 Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-066-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective January 24, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to M7 Aerospace LP (type certificate 
previously held by Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated) Models SA26-AT, 
SA26-T, SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), 
SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT 
airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any 
category.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 5610, Flight Compartment Windows.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by reports from the windshield 
manufacturer of inner glass ply fracture. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct damage to the cockpit heated windshield, which 
could result in failure of the windshield with consequent rapid 
cabin decompression and loss of control of the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

Inspection

    (g) Within the next 21 days after January 24, 2011 (the 
effective date of this AD), inspect the cockpit heated windshields, 
part numbers 26-21126 and 27-19442, as applicable, for damage, e.g., 
delamination, glass shear, and interlayer cracking. Do the 
inspection following M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001, 226-
56-011, 227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010, as 
applicable.
    (h) At the compliance times specified in table 1 of this AD, 
repetitively inspect the cockpit heated windshield for damage, e.g., 
delamination, glass shear, and interlayer cracking. Do the 
inspections following M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001, 226-
56-011, 227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010, as 
applicable.

[[Page 1998]]

             Table 1--Repetitive Inspection Compliance Times
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                                If the installed
                                 cockpit heated
                               windshield (new or     Then repetitively
          Category              repaired) has the   inspect at intervals
                              following hours time-     not-to-exceed
                                in-service (TIS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  Less than 1,100.....  Every 150 hours TIS
                                                     until the
                                                     windshield
                                                     accumulates 1,100
                                                     hours TIS, at which
                                                     time inspect
                                                     according to
                                                     Category B.
B...........................  1,100 to 5,000......  Every 100 hours TIS
                                                     until the
                                                     windshield
                                                     accumulates 5,001
                                                     hours TIS, at which
                                                     time inspect
                                                     according to
                                                     Category C.
C...........................  More than 5,000.....  Every 50 hours TIS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (i) Before further flight after each inspection required in 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD in which damage is found in the 
critical and semi-critical inspection areas, replace or repair the 
windshield as specified in M7 Aerospace Service Bulletins 26-56-001, 
226-56-011, 227-56-012, and CC7-56-009, all dated December 1, 2010, 
as applicable.
    (j) Within 30 days after each inspection required in paragraph 
(g) and (h) of this AD in which damage is found, report the results 
of the inspection to the FAA. Use the form (figure 1 of this AD) and 
submit it to the address specified in paragraph (n) of this AD.

Special Flight Permit

    (k) Flights are limited to two pilot operations only. No single 
pilot operation allowed.

Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    (l) 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              AD 2011-02-04
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airplane Model Number/Serial
 Number:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time-in-Service (TIS) of on cockpit
 heated windshield:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection results:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corrective Action Taken:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any Additional Information
 (Optional):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone and/or E-mail Address:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Send report to: Hung Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth Airplane
  Certification Office, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137-
                                  0150;
           phone: (817) 222-5155; fax: (817) 222-5960; e-mail:
                         hung.v.nguyen@faa.gov.
 
                                Figure 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (m)(1) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office 
(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.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal 
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as 
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight 
Standards District Office.

Related Information

    (n) For more information about this AD, contact Hung Nguyen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137-0150; phone: (817) 222-
5155; fax: (817) 222-5960; e-mail: hung.v.nguyen@faa.gov.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (o) You must use the service information contained in Table 2 of 
this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.

             Table 2--All Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Document               Revision               Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
M7 Aerospace Service Bulletin  N/A..........  December 1, 2010.
 26-56-001.
M7 Aerospace Service Bulletin  N/A..........  December 1, 2010.
 226-56-011.
M7 Aerospace Service Bulletin  N/A..........  December 1, 2010.
 227-56-012.

[[Page 1999]]

 
M7 Aerospace Service Bulletin  N/A..........  December 1, 2010.
 CC7-56-009.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information contained in 
Table 2 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact M7 
Aerospace LP, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216; 
telephone: (210) 824-9421; Internet: http://www.m7aerospace.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust St., Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call (816) 329-2470.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 5, 2011.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-457 Filed 1-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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