Document ID: FAA-2012-0845-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Revo, Incorporated Airplanes
Posted Date: 2012-08-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 159 (Thursday, August 16, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49389-49394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20107]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0845; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-013-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Revo, Incorporated Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Revo, Incorporated Models COLONIAL C-1, 
COLONIAL C-2, LAKE LA-4, LAKE LA-4A, LAKE LA-4P, and LAKE LA-4-200 
airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a one-time dye-penetrant 
inspection of the horizontal stabilizer attachment fitting and 
repetitive visual inspections of the fitting for any evidence of 
fretting, cracking, or corrosion (with necessary replacement and 
modification); replacement of the fitting upon reaching the 850-hours 
time-in-service (TIS) safe life; and reporting to the FAA the results 
of the initial inspection and any cracks found on repetitive 
inspections. Since we issued AD 2005-12-02, Revo, Incorporated informed 
the FAA that while the drawing numbers are different, the attachment 
fittings on the Model COLONIAL C-1 airplanes are identical in every 
other respect to those installed on the airplanes referenced in AD 
2005-12-02. This proposed AD would retain the actions required by AD 
2005-12-02, add the Model COLONIAL C-1 airplanes to the Applicability, 
and add an optional terminating action for the requirements. We are 
proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 1, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5

[[Page 49390]]

p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Revo, 
Incorporated, 1396 Grandview Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34744; telephone: 
(407) 847-8080; email: support@teamlake.com; Lake Central Air Services, 
Muskoka Airport, R.R. 1, Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada P1P 1R1; 
telephone: (705) 687-4343; email: akecent@muskoka.com; Internet: 
www.lakecentral.com; and Robert L. Copeland, 418B Bartow Municipal 
Airport, Bartow, FL 33830; telephone: none; email: none; Internet: 
none. You may review copies of the referenced 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) 329-4148.

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 proposed 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: Hal Horsburgh, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta Aicraft Certification Office, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5553; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: hal.horsburgh@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0845; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-013-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    On June 2, 2005, we issued AD 2005-12-02, amendment 39-14118 (70 FR 
33820, June 10, 2005), for all Revo, Incorporated (Type Certificate 
1A13 formerly held by Colonial Aircraft Company, Lake Aircraft 
Corporation, Consolidated Aeronautics, Inc., and Global Amphibians LLC) 
Models COLONIAL C-2, LAKE LA-4, LAKE LA-4A, LAKE LA-4P, and LAKE LA-4-
200 airplanes. That AD requires a one-time dye-penetrant inspection of 
the horizontal stabilizer attachment fitting and repetitive visual 
inspections of the fitting for any evidence of fretting, cracking, or 
corrosion (with necessary replacement and modification); replacement of 
the fitting upon reaching the 850-hours TIS safe life; and reporting to 
the FAA the results of the initial inspection and any cracks found on 
repetitive inspections. That AD resulted from several reports of 
fatigue cracks found in the horizontal stabilizer attachment fitting 
(part number (P/N) 2-2200-21) of Model LA-4-200 airplanes that were in 
compliance with AD 98-10-12 (63 FR 26964, May 15, 1998). We issued that 
AD to detect, correct, and prevent future cracks in the horizontal 
stabilizer attachment fitting, which could result in failure of the 
horizontal stabilizer attachment fitting. This failure could result in 
loss of control of the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2005-12-02 (70 FR 33820, June 10, 2005), Revo, 
Incorporated on January 10, 2012, informed the FAA that while the 
drawing numbers are different, the attachment fittings on the Model 
COLONIAL C-1 airplanes are identical in every other respect to those 
installed on the airplanes referenced in AD 2005-12-02.
    Also, since we issued AD 2005-12-02 (70 FR 33820, June 10, 2005), 
we determined that installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
SA02153NY (part number (P/N) LC-2200-21) or STC SA03217AT (P/N XLS-2-
2200-221L/R) terminates the requirements of this AD. The actions 
required in the instructions for continued airworthiness for the STCs 
would still apply to airplanes with those STCs installed. We propose to 
include installation of STC SA02153NY or STC SA03217AT as options to 
this AD.

 Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Revo, Inc. Service Bulletin B-78 R3, dated January 10, 
2012; Revo, Inc. Service Bulletin B-78 R2, dated October 26, 2011; and 
Revo, Inc. Service Bulletin B-78, dated April 3, 1998. The service 
information describes procedures for:
     Removing the fitting and inspecting (both visual and dye 
penetrant) for cracks, fretting, or corrosion;
     Replacing the attachment fitting with a new fitting;
     Measuring the gap between the attachment fitting and the 
horizontal stabilizer skin for proper clearance; and
     Trimming the stabilizer skin to provide proper clearance.
    We reviewed Lake Central Aircraft Services Lake Amphibian 
Stabilizer Fitting LC-2200-21 Installation Instructions, Rev B, dated 
August 26, 2005, and Lake Central Air Services Stabilizer Fitting LC-
2200-21 Maintenance Manual Supplement Document MS-LC-2200-21, Rev B, 
dated August 26, 2005. The service information describes procedures for 
installation of the Lake Central Aircraft Services Lake Amphibian 
stabilizer fitting (STC SA02153NY).
    We reviewed XLS Company, LLC Report XLS-2-2200-500, Installation 
Instructions and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, Revision B, 
November 18, 2005. The service information describes procedures for 
installation of the XLS Co., LLC horizontal stabilizer support fitting 
system (STC SA03217AT).

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2005-12-02 (70 
FR 33820, June 10, 2005), add airplanes to the Applicability section, 
and add an optional terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 253 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 49391]]

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Cost on
               Action                        Labor cost               Parts cost          Cost per       U.S.
                                                                                          product     operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the horizontal stabilizer     24 work-hours x $85 per  Not Applicable.........       $2,040     $516,120
 attachment fitting.                   hour = $2,040.
Measure the gap between the           1 work-hour x $85 per    Not Applicable.........           85       21,505
 horizontal skin and the horizontal    hour = $85.
 stabilizer attachment fitting; trim
 the skin to provide gap.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need 
these replacements:

                           On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Cost per
            Action                Labor cost     Parts cost    product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the horizontal         24 work-hours x         $761       $2,801
 stabilizer attachment          $85 per hour =
 fitting.                       $2,040.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing airworthiness directive 
(AD) 2005-12-02, Amendment 39-10524 (70 FR 33820, June 10, 2005), and 
adding the following new AD:

Revo, Incorporated: Docket No. FAA-2012-0845; Directorate Identifier 
2012-CE-013-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 1, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2005-12-02, Amendment 39-10524 (70 FR 
33820, June 10, 2005).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Revo, Incorporated Models 
COLONIAL C-1, COLONIAL C-2, LAKE LA-4, LAKE LA-4A, LAKE LA-4P, and 
LAKE LA-4-200 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated 
in any category, and have installed horizontal stabilizer attachment 
fittings part number (P/N) 1-2200-14, 2200-14, or 2-2200-21.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 55: Stabilizers.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by information from Revo, Incorporated that 
while the drawing numbers are different, the attachment fittings on 
the Model COLONIAL C-1 airplanes are identical in every other 
respect to those installed on the airplanes referenced in AD 2005-
12-02 (70 FR 33820, June 10, 2005). We are issuing this AD to retain 
the actions required by AD 2005-12-02, add the Model COLONIAL C-1 
airplanes to the Applicability, and add an optional terminating 
action for the requirements. We are adopting this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Dye Penetrant Inspection on the Horizontal Stabilizer Attachment 
Fitting

    (1) For airplanes with less than 825 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
on any horizontal stabilizer attachment fitting: Remove the 
horizontal stabilizer attachment (P/N 1-2200-14, 2200-14, or 2-2200-
21) from the airplane and inspect for cracks (using dye penetrant), 
fretting, or corrosion using the applicable compliance times stated 
below. To take ``already done'' credit for this inspection, you must 
have removed the horizontal stabilizer attachment from the airplane 
when the inspection was done.
    (i) For COLONIAL C-2, LAKE LA-4, LAKE LA-4A, LAKE LA-4P, and 
LAKE LA-4-200 airplanes: Within the next 25 hours TIS after July 8, 
2005 (the effective date of AD 2005-12-02 (70 FR 33820, June 10, 
2005)). Follow

[[Page 49392]]

Revo Inc. Service Bulletin B-78 R3, dated January 10, 2012; or Revo 
Inc. Service Bulletin B-78 R2, dated April 3, 1998.
    (ii) For COLONIAL C-1 airplanes: Within the next 25 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this AD. Follow Revo Inc. Service 
Bulletin B-78 R3, dated January 10, 2012.
    (2) If cracks, fretting, or corrosion is found during the 
inspection required in either paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of 
this AD, before further flight, replace with P/N 2-2200-21. P/N 2-
2200-21 is an approved replacement for P/N 1-2200-14 or 2200-14. 
Follow Revo Inc. Service Bulletin B-78 R3, dated January 10, 2012.

(h) Repetitive Inspections of the Horizontal Stabilizer Attachment 
Fitting

    (1) For all airplanes: After the dye-penetrant inspection 
required in paragraph (g) of this AD or after replacement of the 
fitting, at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS or 12 months, 
whichever occurs first, repetitively inspect (visual) the horizontal 
stabilizer attachment fitting using the following procedures:
    (i) Move the elevator as required to see the fitting, ensuring 
that the aft face of the fitting is visible.
    (ii) Clean the fitting. Pay special attention to the radius 
edges of the fitting just outboard of the fitting ear.
    (iii) Visually inspect the fitting for cracks using a flashlight 
(a small magnifying glass or borescope is recommended). Pay special 
attention again to the radius edges just outboard of the fitting 
ear. Also, inspect as far forward on the edge that is possible 
because some cracks progress along the forward face of the fitting 
that is mostly hidden by the horizontal stabilizer rear beam.
    (iv) Reference the sketch on page 1 of Revo Inc. Service 
Bulletin B-78 R3, dated January 10, 2012, to see where the crack is 
likely to begin.
    (2) If any cracks are found during any of the inspections 
required in paragraph (h) of this AD, before further flight, replace 
the fitting following Revo Inc. Service Bulletin B-78 R3, dated 
January 10, 2012.

(i) Replace the Horizontal Stabilizer Attachment Fitting

    (1) For COLONIAL C-2, LAKE LA-4, LAKE LA-4A, LAKE LA-4P, and 
LAKE LA-4-200 airplanes: Before or when the horizontal stabilizer 
attachment fitting accumulates 850 hours TIS or within 25 hours TIS 
after July 8, 2005 (the effective date of AD 2005-12-02 (70 FR 
33820, June 10, 2005)), whichever occurs later, and repetitively 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 850 hours TIS replace the 
horizontal stabilizer attachment fitting P/N 1-2200-14, 2200-14, or 
2-2200-21. P/N 2-2200-21 is an approved replacement part for P/N 1-
2200-14 or 2200-14. Follow Revo Inc. Service Bulletin B-78 R3, dated 
January 10, 2012; or Revo Inc. Service Bulletin B-78 R2, dated April 
3, 1998.
    (2) For COLONIAL C-1 airplanes: Before or when the horizontal 
stabilizer attachment fitting accumulates 850 hours TIS or within 25 
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 850 
hours TIS replace the horizontal stabilizer attachment fitting P/N 
1-2200-14, 2200-14, or 2-2200-21. P/N 2-2200-21 is an approved 
replacement part for P/N 1-2200-14 or 2200-14. Follow Revo Inc. 
Service Bulletin B-78 R3, dated January 10, 2012.
    (3) For all airplanes: You may at any time install the following 
supplemental type certificates (STC) to terminate the requirements 
of this AD; however, the actions required by the limitations section 
in the instructions for continued airworthiness for the STCs still 
apply:
    (i) Lake Central Aircraft Services Lake Amphibian stabilizer 
fitting (STC SA02153NY) following Lake Central Aircraft Services 
Lake Amphibian Stabilizer Fitting LC-2200-21 Installation 
Instructions, Rev B, dated August 26, 2005; and Lake Central Air 
Services Stabilizer Fitting LC-2200-21 Maintenance Manual Supplement 
Document MS-LC-2200-21, Rev B, dated August 26, 2005; or
    (ii) XLS Co., LLC horizontal stabilizer support fitting system 
(STC SA03217AT) following XLS Company, LLC Report XLS-2-2200-500, 
Installation Instructions and Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness, Revision B, November 18, 2005.

    Note for paragraph (i)(3)(ii) of this AD: New parts are not 
currently available for STC SA03217AT; however, the STC number has 
been included here for future reference if the parts do become 
available.

    (4) You may install airworthy horizontal stabilizer attachment 
fitting, P/N 1-2200-14, 2200-14, or 2-2200-21, provided it has less 
than 850 hours TIS and has been inspected following paragraph (g) of 
this AD and found free of cracks, fretting, or corrosion.

(j) Measure the Gap Between the Horizontal Skin and the Horizontal 
Stabilizer Attachment Fitting; Trim the Skin To Provide Gap

    (1) For all airplanes: Measure the gap between the horizontal 
skin and the horizontal stabilizer attachment fitting (P/N 1-2200-
14, 2200-14, or 2-2200-21). If gap is less than \1/16\-inch, trim 
the skin to provide at least \1/16\ inch gap.
    (2) Perform the actions in paragraph (j)(1) before further 
flight after any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) or 
(g)(1)(ii) of this AD, or replacement of the fitting required by 
paragraph (g)(2) or (h)(2) of this AD.

(k) Report the Results of the Initial Inspection

    For all airplanes: Using the form in Appendix 1 of this AD 
report the results of the inspections required in paragraphs (g) and 
(h) of this AD. Send the results to the FAA using the following 
contact information: Hal Horsburgh, FAA Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 
30337; fax (404) 474-5606; or email: hal.horsburgh@faa.gov. Send the 
results within the following compliance times:
    (1) Within 30 days after the inspection required in paragraph 
(g) of this AD even if no damage is found.
    (2) Within 30 days after any inspection required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD if cracks are found.

(l) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are allowed for this AD with these 
limitations:
    (1) Vne reduced to 121 m.p.h. (105 knots); and
    (2) No flight into known turbulence.

(m) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    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.

(n) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta 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 appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (3) AMOCs approved for AD 2005-12-02 (70 FR 33820, June 10, 
2005) are approved as AMOCs for this AD.

(o) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Hal Horsburgh, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College 
Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5553; fax: (404) 474-5606; 
email: hal.horsburgh@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Revo, 
Incorporated, 1396 Grandview Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34744; 
telephone: (407) 847-8080; email: support@teamlake.com; Internet: 
none; Lake Central Air Services, Muskoka Airport, R. R. 1, 
Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada P1P 1R1; telephone: (705) 687-4343; 
email: akecent@muskoka.com; Internet: www.lakecentral.com; and 
Robert L. Copeland, 418B Bartow Municipal Airport, Bartow, FL 33830; 
telephone: none; email: none; Internet: none. You may review copies 
of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust St., Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For

[[Page 49393]]

information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

Appendix 1 to Docket No. FAA-2012-0845

INSPECTION REPORT for Revo, Incorporated Models COLONIAL C-1, COLONIAL 
C-2, LAKE LA-4, LAKE LA-4A, LAKE LA-4P, and LAKE LA-4-200 Airplanes

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP16AU12.034

[[Page 49394]]

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 9, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-20107 Filed 8-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-C