[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2706-2708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1573]



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


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-88-AD; Amendment 39-9500; AD 95-24-10]


Airworthiness Directives; Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation Part 
Number 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) Tires Installed on the Main Landing 
Gear of Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-24-10, which was sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of airplanes with a 
Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation part number (P/N) 028-520-1 
(22x5.75-12/10PR) tire installed on the main landing gear. This AD 
requires replacing any of the affected tires with an FAA-approved tire. 
Two reports of failure (rupture) of the main landing gear tire during 
landing operations on Cessna Citation VII airplanes prompted priority 
letter AD 95-24-10. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent loss of control of the airplane during landing operations 
because of failure of a P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tire.

DATES: Effective February 21, 1996, to all persons except those to whom 
it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 95-24-10, 
issued November 21, 1995, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before April 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-88-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Information that relates to this AD may be examined at the Rules 
Docket at the address above, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street NW., 7th Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Denise Bosonetto, Aerospace 
Engineer, 

[[Page 2707]]
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; 
telephone (404) 305-7379; facsimile (404) 305-7348.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received two reports of failure 
(rupture) of the main landing gear tire during landing operations on 
Cessna Citation VII airplanes. Analysis of these incidents revealed the 
following:

--The tires, P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR), were manufactured by the 
Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation (FAA Manufacturing Approval: TSO-
C62c);
 --The cause of the failure is attributed to separations that developed 
in the crown region of the tire with the rubber component below the 
tread reinforcing plies;
--The separations are attributed to low adhesion caused by a misplaced 
rubber compound; and
--A check of the company records reveals that a total of 137 tires were 
manufactured in this lot and the remaining 135 tires could contain this 
same low adhesion problem.

    The P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tires are predominantly 
installed on Cessna Model 650 (Citation III, VI, and VII) airplanes; 
however, they could be installed on other airplanes.
    After reviewing and examining all available information to the 
incidents received above, the FAA has determined that (1) the remaining 
135 tires manufactured in the lot that could have a possible low 
adhesion problem should be removed from service; and (2) AD action 
should be taken to prevent loss of control of the airplane during 
landing operations because of failure of a Michelin Aircraft Tire 
Corporation P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tire.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other airplanes that are equipped with at least one 
Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tire 
(serial numbers as referenced in the actual AD) installed on the main 
landing gear, the FAA issued priority letter AD 95-24-10 to require 
replacing any of the affected tires with an FAA-approved tire.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters 
issued on November 21, 1995, to all known U.S. operators of airplanes 
with a Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/
10PR) tires installed on the main landing gear. These conditions still 
exist, and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an 
amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
39.13) to make it effective as to all persons.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity to 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 should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified above. 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. 95-CE-88-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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 USC 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:

95-24-10  Michelin Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-9500; Docket 
No. 95-CE-88-AD.

    Applicability: Part number (P/N) 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) 
tires with the following serial numbers that are installed on the 
main landing gear of, but not limited to, Cessna Model 650 (Citation 
III, VI, and VII) airplanes that are certificated in any category:

Serial Nos.

4279N00339 4279N00340 4279N00341 4279N00342 4279N00343 4279N00597 
4279N00598 4279N00599 4279N00600 4279N00601 4280N00075 4280N00199 
4280N00200 4280N00201 4280N00203 4280N00204 4280N00205 4280N00206 
4280N00360 4280N00361 4282N00352 4283N00099 4283N00100 4283N00101 
4283N00102 4283N00200 4283N00201 4283N00202 4283N00453 4283N00454 
4283N00455 4283N00456 4284N00612 4284N00613 4284N00614 4284N00615 
4284N00616 4285N00100 4285N00101 4285N00102 4285N00103 4285N00104 
4285N00105 4285N00106 4285N00107 4285N00108 4285N00347 4285N00348 
4285N00349 4285N00353 4285N00354 4285N00355 4285N00356 4285N00608 
4285N00609 4286N00103 4286N00104 

[[Page 2708]]
4286N00105 4286N00106 4286N00442 4286N00443 4286N00444 4286N00445 
4286N00446 4286N00447 4286N00448 4286N00449 4286N00450 4286N00600 
4286N00601 4286N00602 4286N00603 4286N00604 4286N00605 4286N00606 
4286N00608 4286N00609 4287N00088 4287N00089 4287N00090 4287N00091 
4287N00092 4287N00093 4287N00094 4287N00095 4287N00096 4287N00097 
4287N00357 4287N00358 4287N00359 4287N00360 4287N00361 4287N00362 
4287N00363 4287N00364 4288N00118 4288N00119 4288N00120 4288N00121 
4288N00302 4288N00303 4288N00304 4288N00305 4288N00306 4288N00307 
4290N00111 4290N00113 4290N00114 4290N00115 4290N00116 4290N00117 
4290N00355 4290N00356 4290N00606 4290N00607 4290N00608 4290N00609 
4290N00610 4290N00611 4290N00612 4291N00082 4291N00083 4291N00084 
4291N00085 4291N00086 4291N00087 4291N00088 4291N00089 4291N00091 
4291N00273 4291N00274 4291N00275 4291N00276 4291N00277 4291N00278 
4291N00620 4291N00621

    Note 1: This AD applies to each tire identified in the preceding 
applicability provision that is installed on an airplane, 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 (see NOTE 2), except to those operators receiving 
this action by priority letter issued November 21, 1995, which made 
these actions effective immediately upon receipt.
    To prevent loss of control of the airplane during landing 
operations because of P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tire failure, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace any of the P/N 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) tires 
identified in the Applicability section of this AD with an FAA-
approved tire.
    (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, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College 
Park, Georgia 30337-2748. The request shall be forwarded through an 
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.

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

    (d) Information that applies to this AD may be examined at the 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (e) This amendment (39-9500) becomes effective on February 21, 
1996, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made 
immediately effective by priority letter AD 95-24-10, issued 
November 21, 1995, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 23, 1996.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-1573 Filed 1-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U