Proposed Rule2021-21938
Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
October 8, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Vulcanair S.p.A. Models P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 "OBSERVER," P.68 OBSERVER 2, P.68R, and P.68TC OBSERVER airplanes. This proposed 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 a damaged stabilator trim control cable. This proposed AD would require inspecting the stabilator trim control cables and replacing if necessary. This proposed AD would also require reporting the results of each inspection to Vulcanair S.p.A. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56229-56232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21938]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0871; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01581-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Vulcanair S.p.A. Models P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 ``OBSERVER,''
P.68 OBSERVER 2, P.68R, and P.68TC OBSERVER airplanes. This proposed 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 a damaged stabilator trim control cable. This
proposed AD would require inspecting the stabilator trim control cables
and replacing if necessary. This proposed AD would also require
reporting the results of each inspection to Vulcanair S.p.A. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November
22, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Vulcanair
S.p.A., Fulvio Oloferni, via Giovanni Pascoli, 7, Naples, 80026, Italy;
phone: +39 081 5918 135; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#56373f24213924223e3f383325251620233a353738373f247835393b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a8c9c1dadfc7dadcc0c1c6cddbdbe8deddc4cbc9c6c9c1da86cbc7c5">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="http://www.vulcanair.com">www.vulcanair.com</a>. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 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 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0871; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Johnson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Section, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106-2641;
phone: (720) 626-5462; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#15726770727a676c3b7f7a7d7b667a7b557374743b727a63"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85e2f7e0e2eaf7fcabefeaedebf6eaebc5e3e4e4abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0871;
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01581-A'' at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important
[[Page 56230]]
that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark
each page of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will
treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they
will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions
containing CBI should be sent to Gregory Johnson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Section, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106-2641.
Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this
rulemaking.
Background
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2020-0262, dated November 30, 2020 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition on certain serial-
numbered Vulcanair S.p.A. Models P.68R, P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68
``OBSERVER,'' P.68 ``OBSERVER 2,'' and P.68TC ``OBSERVER'' airplanes.
The MCAI states:
Two occurrences have been reported of finding a damaged
stabilator trim control cable connected to the stabilator trim
actuator assembly, mounted on fuselage frame No.16. The related
technical investigation concluded that the cause of the damage is a
design issue.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
failure of an affect [sic] part, preventing trim surface control
(remaining in the last position), possibly resulting in reduced
control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, and pending a design
improvement, Vulcanair published the [service bulletin] SB, to
provide inspection instructions for detecting damage.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive inspections of the affected parts, and, depending on
findings, replacement.
This [EASA] AD is considered to be an interim action and further
[EASA] AD action may follow.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0871.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. 263, dated October 20, 2020. The service information
contains procedures for repetitively inspecting each stabilator trim
control cable part number 5.6067-1, 5.6161-1, 5.6171-1, 5.6231-2, or
5.6231-4 for broken wires and replacing the cable if necessary. This
service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM
after determining the unsafe condition described previously is likely
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information already described. This proposed AD would
also require reporting inspection results to the manufacturer.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this proposed AD an interim action. The
inspection reports that would be required by this proposed AD will
enable the manufacturer to obtain better insight into the nature,
cause, and extent of the damage, and eventually to develop final action
to address the unsafe condition. Once final action has been identified,
the FAA might consider further rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 127 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection....................... 0.50 work-hour x $0 $42.50 per $5,397.50 per
$85 per hour = inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
$42.50 per
inspection cycle.
Report........................... 1 work-hour x $85 0 $85 per inspection $10,795 per
per hour = $85 per cycle. inspection cycle.
reporting cycle.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacements that
would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. The
FAA has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need
this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replacement................................... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340 $510
$170.
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Paperwork Reduction Act
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 currently 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 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data
[[Page 56231]]
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, completing and
reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this
collection of information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information
Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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
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:
Vulcanair S.p.A.: Docket No. FAA-2021-0871; Project Identifier MCAI-
2020-01581-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 22, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. (Vulcanair) Models P.68C,
P.68C-TC, P.68 ``OBSERVER,'' P.68 OBSERVER 2, P.68R, and P.68TC
OBSERVER airplanes, serial numbers 333, 337 to 339 inclusive, 378,
379, and 383 and larger (except serial numbers 387 and 398),
certificated in any category, with a stabilator trim control cable
part number 5.6067-1, 5.6161-1, 5.6171-1, 5.6231-2, or 5.6231-4
installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2740, Stabilizer
Control System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a damaged stabilator trim control cable
connected to the stabilator trim actuator assembly, mounted on
fuselage frame No. 16. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and
address failure of a stabilator trim control cable, which could
prevent trim surface control thereby leaving the cable remaining in
the last position. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Before a stabilator trim control cable part number 5.6067-1,
5.6161-1, 5.6171-1, 5.6231-2, or 5.6231-4 accumulates more than 400
hours time-in-service (TIS) since first installation on an airplane
or within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50
hours TIS, visually inspect the stabilator trim control cable for
broken wires and replace the stabilator trim control cable before
further flight if there is broken wire in a strand in accordance
with steps 1 through 22 of Part 2 Work Procedure in Vulcanair S.p.A.
P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 263, dated October 20,
2020 (MSB 263).
(h) Reporting
Within 14 days after the initial inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD or within 14 days after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs later, report the results of the
initial inspection to Vulcanair at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e1d11100a17100b1b1a501f170c09110c0a1617101b0d0d3e080b121d1f101f1f170c501d1113"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="92f1fdfce6fbfce7f7f6bcf3fbe0e5fde0e6fafbfcf7e1e1d2e4e7fef1f3fcf3f3fbe0bcf1fdff">[email protected]</span></a> or at the address in
paragraph (k)(3) of this AD. Thereafter, report the inspection
results within 14 days after each inspection. Each report must
include the following information:
(1) Owner/operator name, mailing address, phone number, and
email address;
(2) Airplane model, serial number, and registration number;
(3) Airplane hours TIS at the time of the inspection;
(4) Stabilator trim control cable hours TIS at the time of the
inspection;
(5) Date of the inspection;
(6) Inspection result (positive or negative); and
(7) A description of any non-conformity (damage).
(i) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD or
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#360f1b7760651b777f641b0105061b777b79757650575718515940"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fac3d7bbaca9d7bbb3a8d7cdc9cad7bbb7b5b9ba9c9b9bd49d958c">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Gregory Johnson,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Section, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, MO 64106-2641; phone: (720) 626-5462; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f3948196949c818add999c9b9d809c9db3959292dd949c85"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="24435641434b565d0a4e4b4c4a574b4a644245450a434b52">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2020-0262, dated November 30, 2020, for more information. You may
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2021-0871.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Vulcanair S.p.A., Fulvio Oloferni, via Giovanni Pascoli, 7, Naples,
80026, Italy; phone: +39 081 5918 135; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#46272f34312934322e2f282335350630332a252728272f346825292b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e988809b9e869b9d8180878c9a9aa99f9c858a888788809bc78a8684">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="http://www.vulcanair.com">www.vulcanair.com</a>. You may
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational
[[Page 56232]]
Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Issued on October 1, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-21938 Filed 10-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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