[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34555-34556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16021]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-143-AD; Amendment 39-10597; AD 98-13-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AERMACCHI S.p.A. Models F.260, F.260B, 
F.260C, and F.260D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain AERMACCHI S.p.A. (AERMACCHI) Models F.260, F.260B, 
F.260C, and F.260D airplanes. This AD requires marking the airspeed 
indicator to indicate the correct flap operation range and stall speed 
of the airplane. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Italy. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the 
airplane from stalling at an airspeed higher than anticipated, which 
could result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective August 1, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from AERMACCHI, Product Support, Via Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto 
Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-929117; facsimile: +39-331-
922525. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-143-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. David O. Keenan, Project Officer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201 
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain AERMACCHI 
Models F.260, F.260B, F.260C, and F.260D airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 13, 
1998 (63 FR 17969). The NPRM proposed to require marking the airspeed 
indicator with a black arc to indicate the correct stall speed and flap 
operation range of the airplane. Accomplishment of the proposed action 
as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with SIAI Marchetti 
S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated May 28, 1993.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

[[Page 34556]]

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 60 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Materials for marking the airspeed indicator 
can be obtained locally at minimal cost. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$3,600, or $60 per airplane.

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 copy of the final 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, 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:

98-13-09  AERMACCHI S.P.A.: Amendment 39-10597; Docket No. 97-CE-
143-AD.

    Applicability: Models F.260, F.260B, F.260C, and F.260D 
airplanes, serial numbers 001 through 848, 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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent the airplane from stalling at an airspeed higher than 
anticipated, which could result in loss of control of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Mark the airspeed indicator with a black arc between the 
numbers 0 and 63.5 in accordance with the Instructions section of 
SIAI Marchetti S.p.A Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated May 28, 
1993. All other operating ranges on the airspeed indicator are 
correct.

    Note 2: Although the SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. service bulletin 
referenced above calls out all of the operating ranges indicated on 
the airspeed indicator, it is the FAA's intent in this AD to focus 
only on the flap operating range.

    (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, 1201 Walnut, 
suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to SIAI Marchetti 
Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated May 28, 1993, should be directed 
to AERMACCHI, Product Support, Via Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto 
Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-929117; facsimile: +39-331-
922525. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with SIAI Marchetti Service Bulletin No. 260B54, dated 
May 28, 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 AERMACCHI, Product 
Support, Via Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 93-
220, dated July 29, 1993.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 9, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16021 Filed 6-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U