Rule2023-28877
Airworthiness Directives; WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation 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 3, 2024
Effective
February 7, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Model 2T-1A-2 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of multiple types of cracks at the leading edge former ribs and trailing edge former ribs in the upper wing center section. This AD requires installing maneuver restriction placards in the front and rear cockpits, inspecting the leading and trailing edge former ribs for cracking, replacing any cracked ribs, modifying the upper wing center section assembly, and removing the maneuver restriction placards after completing the modification. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 2 (Wednesday, January 3, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 3, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 237-239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28877]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-2005; Project Identifier AD-2022-01523-A;
Amendment 39-22646; AD 2023-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation
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 WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Model 2T-1A-2 airplanes. This
AD was prompted by reports of multiple types of cracks at the leading
edge former ribs and trailing edge former ribs in the upper wing center
section. This AD requires installing maneuver restriction placards in
the front and rear cockpits, inspecting the leading and trailing edge
former ribs for cracking, replacing any cracked ribs, modifying the
upper wing center section assembly, and removing the maneuver
restriction placards after completing the modification. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 7, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 7,
2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-2005; 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 WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, 15955 South Airport Road,
Battle Creek, MI 49015; phone: (269) 565-1000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c1a9a4adadae81fda0e1a9b3a4a7fc" http: wacoaircraft.com">wacoaircraft.com</a>">hello@<a href="http://wacoaircraft.com">wacoaircraft.com</a></a>.; website: <a href="http://wacoaircraft.com">wacoaircraft.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO
[[Page 238]]
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-2023-2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Eichor, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1801 S Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (847) 294-7141;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b7c3deda99d399d2ded4dfd8c5f7d1d6d699d0d8c1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d39242063296328242e25223f0d2b2c2c632a223b">[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 WACO Classic
Aircraft Corporation Model 2T-1A-2 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on October 27, 2023 (88 FR 73780). The NPRM was
prompted by reports of multiple types of cracks after low flight hours
on WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Model 2T-1A-2 airplanes. The
cracks were approximately 1 to 1.5 inches long and located in the
leading edge former ribs and trailing edge former ribs in the upper
wing center section, along the top flange where the ribs attach to the
spar. Due to the cracking, the fabric support channels have come close
to separating from the trailing edge former ribs. When fabric support
channels detach from a rib, they would still be attached to the fabric,
but the upper center wing airfoil may not maintain its shape due to the
fabric support channels being pulled up by aerodynamic loads, which
could lead to unexpected and unknown flight characteristics. The type
certificate holder determined that this unsafe condition affects
airplane serial numbers 1200 and subsequent with the upper wing center
section assembly 30116-100 configuration. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed
to require installing maneuver restriction placards in the front and
rear cockpits, inspecting the leading and trailing edge former ribs for
cracking, replacing any cracked ribs, modifying the upper wing center
section assembly, and removing the maneuver restriction placards after
completing the modification. 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 WACO Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 Service Bulletin GL-
SB0002, Revision NR, dated July 6, 2023 (WACO SB 2T-1A-2, Revision NR).
This service information specifies procedures for inspecting the
leading edge former ribs and trailing edge former ribs in the upper
wing center section for cracking, replacing any cracked ribs, and
modifying the upper wing center section assembly by installing new
fabric support channels, saddles, and brackets. Modifying the upper
wing center section assembly changes the configuration from the 30116-
100 upper wing center section assembly configuration to the 30116-104
upper wing center section assembly configuration.
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.
Difference Between This AD and the Service Information
Although section B of the Accomplishment Instructions in WACO SB
2T-1A-2, Revision NR, specifies to record the locations of all
identified cracks found on the leading edge former ribs and the
trailing edge former ribs and share this information with WACO
Aircraft, this AD does not require those actions.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 19 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per U.S.
product operators
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Maneuver restriction placard 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $10 $95 $1,805
installation/removal. $85.
Rib inspection....................... 4 work-hours x $85 per hour 0 340 6,460
= $340.
Upper wing center assembly 185 work-hours x $85 per 4,063 19,788 375,972
modification. hour = $15,725.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary rib
replacement that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
airplanes that might need this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Rib replacement (8 ribs)........... 16 work-hours x $85 per $1,032 (8 ribs)....... $2,392 (8 ribs).
hour = $1,360 (8 ribs).
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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
[[Page 239]]
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:
2023-26-03 WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-22646;
Docket No. FAA-2023-2005; Project Identifier AD-2022-01523-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 7, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Model 2T-
1A-2 airplanes, serial numbers 1200 and subsequent with the 30116-
100 upper wing center section assembly configuration, certificated
in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5712, Wing, Rib/
Bulkhead.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of multiple cracks at the
leading edge former ribs and trailing edge former ribs in the upper
wing center section along the top flange where the ribs attach to
the spar after low flight hours. The FAA is issuing this AD to
detect and correct cracks in the leading and trailing edge former
ribs in the upper wing center section. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the
airplane and the reduced ability of the flightcrew to maintain the
safe flight and landing of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, insert
maneuver restriction placards on the instrument panel of the front
and rear cockpits, and next to the operating placard in the rear
cockpit, stating ``NO AEROBATIC MANEUVERS ALLOWED.''
(2) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within 12 months
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first,
accomplish the following:
(i) Inspect the leading edge former ribs and trailing edge
former ribs in the upper wing center section for cracking in
accordance with section B and before further flight, replace any
cracked rib in accordance with section C of the Accomplishment
Instructions in WACO Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 Service Bulletin GL-SB0002,
Revision NR, dated July 6, 2023 (WACO SB 2T-1A-2, Revision NR).
Although section B of the Accomplishment Instructions in WACO SB 2T-
1A-2, Revision NR, specifies to record the locations of all
identified cracks found on the leading edge former ribs and the
trailing edge former ribs and share this information with WACO
Aircraft, this AD does not require those actions.
(ii) Modify the center section to the 30116-104 upper wing
center section assembly configuration in accordance with section C
of the Accomplishment Instructions in WACO SB 2T-1A-2, Revision NR.
(3) After replacing all cracked ribs and modifying the center
section to the 30116-104 upper wing center section assembly
configuration, aerobatic maneuvers can resume and the ``NO AEROBATIC
MANEUVERS ALLOWED'' maneuver restriction placards can be removed
from the front and rear cockpits.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Central 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 Central Certification Branch, send it
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i) of this
AD.
(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
For more information about this AD, contact Tim Eichor, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1801 S Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone:
(847) 294-7141; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4e3a2723602a602b272d26213c0e282f2f60292138"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6115080c4f054f040802090e13210700004f060e17">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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) WACO Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 Service Bulletin GL-SB0002,
Revision NR, dated July 6, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact WACO
Classic Aircraft Corporation, 15955 South Airport Road, Battle
Creek, MI 49015; phone: (269) 565-1000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#afc7cac3c3c0ef93ce8fc7ddcac992" http: wacoaircraft.com">wacoaircraft.com</a>">hello@<a href="http://wacoaircraft.com">wacoaircraft.com</a></a>.; website: <a href="http://wacoaircraft.com">wacoaircraft.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 material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f69084d89f9885869395829f9998b698978497d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="385e4a1651564b485d5b4c5157567856594a59165f574e">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on December 21, 2023.
Caitlin Locke,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-28877 Filed 1-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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