Proposed Rule2023-13497
Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
June 27, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Vulcanair S.p.A. Model V1.0 airplanes. This proposed AD results from 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 corrosion on the lower fuselage truss. This proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection of the right- hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) lower rear attachments of the fuselage truss for corrosion, a tactile inspection of the lower rear attachments for missing sealant, and a general visual inspection of the lower fuselage truss welded pipes for corrosion and the related rivets for missing stems and, depending on findings, additional inspections and actions (including a tap test) and applicable corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 122 (Tuesday, June 27, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 27, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41510-41513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13497]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1218; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01025-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. Model V1.0 airplanes. This proposed AD
results from 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 corrosion on the lower fuselage truss. This
proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection of the right-
hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) lower rear attachments of the fuselage
truss for corrosion, a tactile inspection of the lower rear attachments
for missing sealant, and a general visual inspection of the lower
fuselage truss welded pipes for corrosion and the related rivets for
missing stems and, depending on findings, additional inspections and
actions (including a tap test) and applicable corrective actions. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by August 11, 2023.
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="http://regulations.gov">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
[[Page 41511]]
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1218; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
Vulcanair S.p.A., via G. Pascoli, 7, 80026 Casoria (NA), Italy; phone:
+39 081 5918111; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#422b2c242d0234372e21232c232b306c212d2f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="432a2d252c0335362f20222d222a316d202c2e">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="http://support.vulcanair.com">support.vulcanair.com</a>.
<bullet> 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 (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John DeLuca, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516)
228-7369; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99f3f6f1f7b7e9b7fdfcf5ecfaf8d9fff8f8b7fef6ef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e983868187c799c78d8c859c8a88a98f8888c78e869f">[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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1218; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01025-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
this 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="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
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 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 John
DeLuca, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590. 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 2022-0155, dated August 1, 2022 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on certain serial-
numbered Vulcanair S.p.A. Model V1.0 airplanes.
The MCAI was prompted by reports of corrosion on the lower fuselage
truss on two Vulcanair Model V1.0 airplanes. Missing sealant or missing
rivet stems were determined to be the root cause of corrosion by
allowing water ingress into the lower fuselage truss. In both reported
cases, corrosion was externally visible, having penetrated the
thickness of the pipes. However, corrosion could be present inside the
pipes and remain undetected without proper inspection. This condition,
if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of control of the
airplane.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1218.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Vulcanair Aircraft V1 series Service Bulletin VA-
22, rev. 0, dated June 15, 2022 (Vulcanair SB VA-22). This service
information specifies procedures for inspections of the lower fuselage
truss for corrosion, missing sealant, and missing rivet stems; and, in
case of findings, additional inspections and actions to detect
corrosion, including a tap test and raising the airplane nose. This
service information specifies to contact Vulcanair for corrective
actions.
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 ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are 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 described 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 in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the MCAI, except as discussed under ``Differences Between this
Proposed AD and the MCAI.''
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
Although Vulcanair SB VA-22 specifies that ``in case of doubts,
raise the aircraft nose and audibly detect the presence of corrosion
residues inside the fuselage truss,'' this proposed AD would not
require that action.
Paragraph (1) of the MCAI states to ``accomplish a general visual
and tactile inspection of the right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) lower
rear attachments of the fuselage truss'' in accordance with the
instructions of Part A of Vulcanair SB VA-22. However, step 14, Part A,
of Vulcanair SB VA-22 specifies to do a detailed visual inspection. In
email communication between EASA and the FAA, EASA clarified that this
should be a detailed visual inspection performed in accordance with the
procedures specified in Vulcanair SB VA-22; therefore, this proposed AD
would require a detailed visual inspection of the RH and LH lower rear
attachments of the fuselage truss for corrosion.
The MCAI requires contacting the manufacturer for approved
corrective action instructions if any corrosion is found on the lower
fuselage truss. This proposed AD would require contacting either the
Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Vulcanair's
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 17 airplanes of U.S. registry.
[[Page 41512]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Detailed visual inspection and 8 work-hours x $85 per $0 $680 $11,560
tactile inspection of the RH and LH hour = $680.
lower rear attachments, and a
general visual inspection of the
pipes.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions
that would be required based on the results of the proposed
inspections.
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Remove sealant and detailed inspection of 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $340
inner face of longitudinal tubes connected to $340.
lower rear attachments.
Detailed visual inspection and tap test of the 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = 0 340
lower fuselage truss pipes. $340.
Installation of plug P/N 5034-011 on RH and LH 0.50 work-hour x $85 per hour = 130 172.50
lower rear attachments. $42.50.
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The corrective action instructions that may be needed as a result
of these inspections could vary significantly from airplane to
airplane. The FAA has no data to determine the costs to accomplish
those corrective actions or the number of airplanes that would need
these corrective actions.
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-2023-1218; Project Identifier MCAI-
2022-01025-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by August 11, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. Model V1.0 airplanes, serial
numbers (S/Ns) 1001 through 1034 inclusive, except S/Ns 1008 and
1019, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5311, Fuselage Main,
Frame.
(e) Unsafe Condition
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 corrosion on
the lower fuselage truss. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 100 hours time-in-service or 12 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do a detailed
visual inspection of the right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) lower
rear attachments of the fuselage truss for corrosion, a tactile
inspection of the RH and LH lower rear attachments of the fuselage
truss for missing sealant, a general visual inspection of the
[[Page 41513]]
pipes on the lower fuselage truss for corrosion, and a general
visual inspection of the pipes on the lower fuselage truss for
rivets with missing stems, in accordance with steps 13 and 14 of
Part A, in Part 2, Work Procedure, of Vulcanair Aircraft V1 series
Service Bulletin VA-22, rev. 0, dated June 15, 2022 (Vulcanair SB
VA-22).
(1) If, during the inspections required by the introductory text
of paragraph (g) of this AD, no missing sealant and no corrosion of
the LH and RH lower rear attachments are detected, and no corrosion
and no missing rivet stems of the lower fuselage truss pipes are
detected, before further flight, install part number (P/N) 5034-011
plugs on both the RH and LH rear attachments, in accordance with
step 16 of Part A, in Part 2, Work Procedure, of Vulcanair SB VA-22.
After installation of the plugs, no further action is required by
this AD.
(2) If, during the inspections required by the introductory text
of paragraph (g) of this AD, corrosion, missing sealant, or missing
rivet stems are detected, before further flight, do the following as
applicable:
(i) If corrosion or missing sealant is detected during the
detailed visual inspection or tactile inspection of the RH and LH
lower rear attachments, remove any sealant and do a detailed visual
inspection for corrosion in accordance with step 26 of Part B, in
Part 2, Work Procedure, of Vulcanair SB VA-22.
(ii) If corrosion or missing rivet stems are detected during the
general visual inspection of the lower fuselage truss pipes, do a
detailed visual inspection and tap test for corrosion in accordance
with steps 27 and 28 of Part B, in Part 2, Work Procedure, of
Vulcanair SB VA-22.
(3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of
this AD, any corrosion is detected on the lower fuselage truss,
before further flight, contact the Manager, International Validation
Branch, FAA; or European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or
Vulcanair's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) for corrective
action instructions and do the corrective actions. If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(4) If, during the inspections required by paragraph (g)(2) of
this AD, no corrosion is detected, before further flight, apply
sealant on rivets with absent stems, restore as necessary the
sealant inside the RH and LH lower rear attachments, and install
plugs P/N 5034-011 on both the RH and LH rear attachments, in
accordance with the instructions in steps 31 and 32 of Part B, in
Part 2, Work Procedure, of Vulcanair SB VA-22.
(h) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
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 International Validation Branch, mail
it to the address identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD or email
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e47533f282d533f372c53494d4e533f33313d3e181f1f50191108"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="271e0a6671740a666e750a1014170a666a68646741464609404851">[email protected]</span></a>. If mailing information, also submit
information by email. 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.
(j) Additional Information
(1) Refer to EASA AD 2022-0155, dated August 1, 2022, for
related information. This EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2023-1218.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact John DeLuca,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7369; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#29434641470759074d4c455c4a48694f4848074e465f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d37323533732d73393831283e3c1d3b3c3c733a322b">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) 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 Aircraft V1 series Service Bulletin VA-22, rev. 0,
dated June 15, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Vulcanair S.p.A., via G. Pascoli, 7, 80026 Casoria (NA), Italy;
phone: +39 081 5918111; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f891969e97b88e8d949b999699918ad69b9795"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1f767179705f696a737c7e717e766d317c7072">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="http://support.vulcanair.com">support.vulcanair.com</a>.
(4) 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 (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#c0a6b2eea9aeb3b0a5a3b4a9afae80aea1b2a1eea7afb6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d1b0f5314130e0d181e091412133d131c0f1c531a120b">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on June 20, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-13497 Filed 6-26-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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