Rule2023-22962
Airworthiness Directives; Epic Aircraft, LLC 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
October 18, 2023
Effective
November 22, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Epic Aircraft, LLC Model E1000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by improperly rigged flap position switches. This AD requires installing a secondary full position limit switch to the flap system, installing a switch ramp on the flap actuator, and modifying the take- off position switch rigging. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 200 (Wednesday, October 18, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 18, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71733-71734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22962]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1503; Project Identifier AD-2023-00197-A;
Amendment 39-22566; AD 2023-20-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Epic Aircraft, LLC 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 Epic Aircraft, LLC Model E1000 airplanes. This AD was prompted
by improperly rigged flap position switches. This AD requires
installing a secondary full position limit switch to the flap system,
installing a switch ramp on the flap actuator, and modifying the take-
off position switch rigging. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 22, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 22,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1503; 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, 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Epic Aircraft, LLC, 22590 Nelson Road, Bend, OR 97701; phone:
(541) 639-4603; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6900070f0629550849011b0c0f54" http: epicaircraft.com">epicaircraft.com</a>">info@<a href="http://epicaircraft.com">epicaircraft.com</a></a>; website:
<a href="http://epicaircraft.com">epicaircraft.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. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2023-1503.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Caldejon, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone:
(206) 231-3534; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1f7e716b777071663169317c7e737b7a7570715f797e7e31787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89e8e7fde1e6e7f0a7ffa7eae8e5edece3e6e7c9efe8e8a7eee6ff">[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 Epic Aircraft,
LLC Model E1000 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on July 21, 2023 (88 FR 47084). The NPRM was prompted by a report that
during a production ground test, the flap position switches were not
properly rigged and allowed the actuator to travel beyond the commanded
flaps' full (fully extended) position. The flap actuator could overrun
the flaps' fully extended position if the full position microswitch is
either missing or not rigged properly, resulting in an uncertified flap
configuration. This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss
of control of the airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require installing a secondary
full position limit switch to the flap system, installing a switch ramp
on the flap actuator, and modifying the take-off position switch
rigging.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data and 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 Epic Aircraft Service Bulletin SB-0034, Revision
B, issued December 22, 2022. This service information specifies
procedures for installing a secondary full position limit switch to the
flap system to prevent over-travel. This service information also
specifies procedures for installing a switch ramp on the flap actuator
to improve reliability and modifying the take-off position switch
rigging. In addition, this service information specifies procedures for
checking the flap-to-wing clearances, adjusting clearances as needed,
and contacting Epic Aircraft if clearance and travel limits cannot be
met. 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.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
The service information specifies contacting the manufacturer if
the clearance and travel limits are exceeded during the check of the
flap-to-wing clearances, but this AD does not require that action. This
AD requires adjusting the flap-to-wing clearances until they do not
exceed the specified travel limits.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 29 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Install a secondary full position 1 work-hour x $85 per $587 $672 $19,488
limit switch to the flap system. hour = $85.
Install a switch ramp on the flap 1 work-hour x $85 per 54 139 4,031
actuator. hour = $85.
Modify rigging........................ 4 work-hours x $85 per 0 340 9,860
hour = $340.
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[[Page 71734]]
The FAA has no data to determine the costs to accomplish the
corrective action of adjusting the flap-to-wing clearances or the
number of airplanes that may require this corrective action.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, all of the costs of this AD may
be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
operators.
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:
2023-20-07 Epic Aircraft, LLC: Amendment 39-22566; Docket No. FAA-
2023-1503; Project Identifier AD-2023-00197-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 22,
2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Epic Aircraft, LLC Model E1000 airplanes,
serial numbers K003 through K032 inclusive, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2750, TE Flap
Control System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that during a production ground
test, the flap position switches were not properly rigged and
allowed the actuator to travel beyond the commanded flaps' full
(fully extended) position. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the
flap actuator from overrunning the flaps' fully extended position if
the full position microswitch is either missing or not rigged
properly, resulting in an uncertified flap configuration. 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 12 months after the effective date of this AD, install a
secondary full position limit switch to the flap system, install a
switch ramp on the flap actuator, and modify the take-off position
switch rigging in accordance with steps 5 through 13 of the
Instructions section in Epic Aircraft Service Bulletin SB-0034,
Revision B, issued December 22, 2022 (Epic SB-0034, Revision B).
Where Epic SB-0034, Revision B, specifies to discard a switch block,
this AD requires removing that part from service. If, during the
accomplishment of step 12, the flap-to-wing clearances exceed the
specified travel limits, before further flight, adjust the flap-to-
wing clearances until they do not exceed the specified travel
limits. Where Epic SB-0034, Revision B, specifies to contact Epic
Aircraft if clearance and travel limits cannot be met, this AD does
not require that action.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Information regarding the flap-to-wing
travel limits may be found in Epic E1000 Maintenance Manual
SK05000000, Revision A, dated April 13, 2020.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, West Certification 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 branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#784155393635552b1d190c0c141d55393b37553935373b552a1d090d1d0b0c0b381e1919561f170e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c8f1e5898685e59bada9bcbca4ade5898b87e58985878be59aadb9bdadbbbcbb88aea9a9e6afa7be">[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.
(i) Additional Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Anthony
Caldejon, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (206) 231-3534; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c7a6a9b3afa8a9bee9b1e9a4a6aba3a2ada8a987a1a6a6e9a0a8b1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d4c435945424354035b034e4c4149484742436d4b4c4c034a425b">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (j)(3) and (4) 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) Epic Aircraft Service Bulletin SB-0034, Revision B, issued
December 22, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Epic
Aircraft, LLC, 22590 Nelson Road, Bend, OR 97701; phone: (541) 639-
4603; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4920272f2609752869213b2c2f74" http: epicaircraft.com">epicaircraft.com</a>">info@<a href="http://epicaircraft.com">epicaircraft.com</a></a>; website: <a href="http://epicaircraft.com">epicaircraft.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#2d4b5f0344435e5d484e594442436d434c5f4c034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8beaaf6b1b6aba8bdbbacb1b7b698b6b9aab9f6bfb7ae">[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 September 29, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-22962 Filed 10-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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