Document ID: FAA-2013-0888-0004
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-02-07T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7388-7390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01957]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0888; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-024-AD; 
Amendment 39-17735; AD 2014-02-07]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl Model P2006T airplanes. This AD 
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and 
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes 
the unsafe condition as cracks of the nose landing gear (NLG) lower 
link. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 14, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of March 14, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam Airworthiness Office, Via Maiorise-81043 Capua (CE) 
Italy; telephone: +39 0823 620134; fax:

[[Page 7389]]

+39 0823 622899; email: m.oliva@tecnam.com or g.paduano@tecnam.com; 
Internet: www.tecnam.com/it-IT/documenti/service-bulletins.aspx. You 
may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
albert.mercado@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Costruzioni Aeronautiche 
Tecnam srl Model P2006T airplanes. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on October 25, 2013 (78 FR 63907). That NPRM proposed 
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    During an inspection of a P2006T, a nose landing gear (NLG) 
lower link was found with two cracks. The affected NLG lower link is 
part of NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-1417-000.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to NLG 
failure, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to 
the occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam (hereafter referred to as Tecnam) issued Service 
Bulletin (SB) SB-128-CS, providing inspection instructions. Tecnam 
also developed an improved NLG lower link assembly with P/N 26-8-
8000-000, which can be installed in service by accomplishment of 
Tecnam SB-104-CS.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires, for 
aeroplanes equipped with NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-1417-000, 
a one-time inspection of the NLG lower link and, depending on 
findings, accomplishment of the applicable corrective action. This 
AD also requires installation of the improved NLG lower link 
assembly P/N 26-8-8000-000.

    The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!searchResults;rpp=25;po=0;s=FAA-2013-
0888;fp=true;ns=true.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 63907, October 25, 
2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 63907, October 25, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 63907, October 25, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 7 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about .5 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $297.50, or $42.50 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 6 work-hours and require parts costing $1,800, for a cost on 
U.S. operators of $16,170, or $2,310 per product. We have no way of 
determining the number of products that may need these actions.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 determined that 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 this AD:
    (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.

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 the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 AD:

2014-02-07 Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl: Amendment 39-17735; 
Docket No. FAA-2013-0888; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-024-AD.

[[Page 7390]]

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 14, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl Model 
P2006T airplanes, serial numbers (S/N) 001/US through S/N 9999/US, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cracking of the 
nose landing gear (NLG) lower link. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct cracks in an NLG lower link, which could lead to NLG 
failure, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to 
the occupants.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions as specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(5) of this AD:
    (1) For airplanes with an NLG lower link assembly part number 
(P/N) 26-8-1417-000 installed, within the next 25 hours time-in-
service (TIS) after March 14, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) 
or within the next 30 days after March 14, 2014 (the effective date 
of this AD), whichever occurs first, do a detailed inspection of the 
NLG lower link P/N 26-8-1417-1 (this is in the NLG-000 assembly) 
following Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service Bulletin No. SB 
128-CS, Revision 0, dated May 15, 2013.
    (2) If a crack is detected during the inspection required by 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the NLG 
lower link assembly with an improved assembly. Follow the 
instructions in Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 442, P2006T 
NLG upper link replacement, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2013; 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 468, New NLG Spring 
replacement, dated October 12, 2012; or Costruzioni Aeronautiche 
Tecnam Job Card 528, P2006T NLG retraction spring installation, 
Revision 1, dated April 2, 2013, as applicable, as specified in 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service Bulletin No. SB 128-CS, 
Revision 0, dated May 15, 2013.

    Note 1 to paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3) of this AD:  Although 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 442, Revision 1, dated 
February 11, 2013, is designated P2006T NLG upper link replacement, 
it still pertains to the replacement of the lower link.

    (3) Unless already done as required by paragraph (f)(2) of this 
AD, within the next 50 hours TIS after March 14, 2014 (the effective 
date of this AD) or within the next 60 days after March 14, 2014 
(the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, replace the 
NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-1417-000 with an improved assembly. 
Follow the instructions in Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 
442, P2006T NLG upper link replacement, Revision 1, dated February 
11, 2013; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 468, New NLG 
Spring replacement, dated October 12, 2012; or Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam Job Card 528, P2006T NLG retraction spring 
installation, Revision 1, dated April 2, 2013, as applicable, as 
specified in the Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service Bulletin 
No. SB 128-CS, Revision 0, dated May 15, 2013.
    (4) After replacement of the NLG lower link assembly as required 
by paragraph (f)(2) or (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable, do not 
install an NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-1417-000 or an NLG lower 
link part P/N 26-8-1417-1 (this is in the NLG-000 assembly) on that 
airplane.
    (5) For an airplane with an NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-
8000-000 already installed, after the effective date of this AD, do 
not install an NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-1417-000 or a NLG 
lower link P/N 26-8-1417-1 on that airplane.

(g) Credit for Actions Done Following Previous Service Information

    This AD provides credit for the inspection required in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD and any necessary replacement required in 
paragraphs (f)(2) or (f)(3) of this AD if already done before March 
14, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) following Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam Service Bulletin No. SB 104-CS, Edition 2, 
Revision 1, dated March 28, 2013.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
albert.mercado@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2013-0134, dated July 2, 2013, for more information. The MCAI can be 
found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0888-0003. You may 
also refer to Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service Bulletin No. 
SB 104-CS, Edition 2, Revision 1, dated March 28, 2013, for more 
information. For service information related to this AD, you may 
contact the manufacturer using the information found in paragraph 
(j)(3) of this AD.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Service Bulletin No. SB 128-
CS, Revision 0, dated May 15, 2013.

    Note 2 to paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this AD:  The Occurrence Report 
is not paginated. The correct pagination is page 3/3.

    (ii) Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Cartone di lavoro (English 
translation: Job Card) 468, New NLG Spring replacement, dated 
October 12, 2012.

    Note 3 to paragraphs (j)(2)(ii) through (j)(2)(iv) of this AD:  
This service information contains Italian to English translation. 
EASA used the English translation in referencing the documents from 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl. For enforceability purposes, we 
will refer to the Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl service 
information as the titles appear on the documents.

    (iii) Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Cartone di lavoro (English 
translation: Job Card) 528, P2006T NLG retraction spring 
installation, Revision 1, dated April 2, 2013.
    (iv) Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam Cartone di lavoro (English 
translation: Job Card) 442, P2006T NLG upper link replacement, 
Revision 1, dated February 11, 2013.
    (3) For Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl service information 
identified in this AD, contact Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam 
Airworthiness Office, Via Maiorise-81043 Capua (CE) Italy; 
telephone: +39 0823 620134; fax: +39 0823 622899; email: 
m.oliva@tecnam.com or g.paduano@tecnam.com; Internet: 
www.tecnam.com/it-IT/documenti/service-bulletins.aspx.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 23, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-01957 Filed 2-6-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P