Rule2022-00056
Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 11, 2022
Effective
February 15, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain km, Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 "OBSERVER," P.68 OBSERVER 2, P.68R, and P.68TC OBSERVER airplanes. 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 identifies the unsafe condition as a damaged stabilator trim control cable. This AD requires inspecting the stabilator trim control cables and replacing if necessary. This AD also requires reporting the results of each inspection to Vulcanair S.p.A. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1340-1343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00056]
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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;
Amendment 39-21874; AD 2021-26-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain km, Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 ``OBSERVER,''
P.68 OBSERVER 2, P.68R, and P.68TC OBSERVER airplanes. 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 identifies
the unsafe condition as a damaged stabilator trim control cable. This
AD requires inspecting the stabilator trim control cables and replacing
if necessary. This AD also requires reporting the results of each
inspection to Vulcanair S.p.A. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 15, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 15,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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#0968607b7e667b7d6160676c7a7a497f7c656a686768607b276a6664"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c9a8a0bbbea6bbbda1a0a7acbaba89bfbca5aaa8a7a8a0bbe7aaa6a4">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="http://www.vulcanair.com">www.vulcanair.com</a>. You may view
this service information at the FAA,
[[Page 1341]]
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-0871.
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 final rule, the
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The address for
Docket Operations is 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Johnson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, International Validation Section, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (720) 626-5462; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ed8a9f888a829f94c3878285839e8283ad8b8c8cc38a829b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="086f7a6d6f677a7126626760667b6766486e6969266f677e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered
Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 ``OBSERVER,'' P.68
OBSERVER 2, P.68R, and P.68TC OBSERVER airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on October 8, 2021 (86 FR 56229). The NPRM was
prompted by MCAI originated by the European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 2020-0262, dated November 30,
2020 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition on certain serial-numbered Vulcanair S.p.A. Model 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.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
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
referenced above. The FAA determined that air safety requires adopting
this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed
in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants 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.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD an interim action. The inspection reports
required by this 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 affects 127 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per airplane operators
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Inspection................. 0.50 work-hour x $85 $0 $42.50 per inspection $5,397.50 per
per hour = $42.50 cycle. inspection cycle.
per inspection cycle.
Report..................... 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 per inspection $10,795 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 inspection. The FAA has
no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need this
replacement:
[[Page 1342]]
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost airplane
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Replacement........... 2 work-hours x $340 $510
$85 per hour =
$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 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
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 that
this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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 airworthiness
directive:
2021-26-15 Vulcanair S.p.A.: Amendment 39-21874; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0871; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01581-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 15,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. (Vulcanair) Model 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 Service Bulletin No. 263, dated October 20, 2020.
(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#37545859435e5942525319565e45405845435f5e595244447741425b54565956565e451954585a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0d3dfdec4d9dec5d5d49ed1d9c2c7dfc2c4d8d9ded5c3c3f0c6c5dcd3d1ded1d1d9c29ed3dfdd">[email protected]</span></a> or at the address in
paragraph (l)(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
[[Page 1343]]
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
and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7f46523e292c523e362d52484c4f523e32303c3f191e1e51181009"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cff6e28e999ce28e869de2f8fcffe28e82808c8fa9aeaee1a8a0b9">[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; phone: (720) 626-5462; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#41263324262e33386f2b2e292f322e2f012720206f262e37"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8bfaabdbfb7aaa1f6b2b7b0b6abb7b698beb9b9f6bfb7ae">[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 Docket No. FAA-2021-0871.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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) Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 263,
dated October 20, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(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#90f1f9e2e7ffe2e4f8f9fef5e3e3d0e6e5fcf3f1fef1f9e2bef3fffd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c1d150e0b130e08141512190f0f3c0a09101f1d121d150e521f1311">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="http://www.vulcanair.com">www.vulcanair.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at 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 (817) 222-5110.
(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, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#472135692e2934372224332e2829072926352669202831"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3c5d18dcacdd0d3c6c0d7cacccde3cdc2d1c28dc4ccd5">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on December 10, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00056 Filed 1-10-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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