ACTION:
Final rule; request for comments.
SUMMARY:
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Slingsby Aviation Ltd. Models T67M260 and T67M260-T3A airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failure of a brake master cylinder pivot pin. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
This AD is effective June 16, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 16, 2015.
We must receive comments on this AD by July 13, 2015.
ADDRESSES:
You may send comments by any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493-2251.
• 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.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations,M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, The Airport, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8RX, UK; telephone: +44 (0) 1223 399856; fax: +44 (0) 7825365617; email: mark.bright@marshalladg.com; Internet: www.marshalladg.com. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1737.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1737; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD No.: 2015-0065-E, dated April 24, 2015, to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
An occurrence was reported where pivot pin Part Number (P/N) T67M-45-539, of rudder pedal assembly #4, installed on the right hand (RH) side of the aeroplane (RH seat, RH pedal) failed during taxi. This caused the rudder pedal mechanism to detach from the brake master cylinder.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could cause the rudder linkages to rotate out of their normal orientation, possibly resulting in jammed rudder controls and consequent loss of control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Slingsby Advanced Composites Ltd, trading as Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (hereafter called `Marshall' in this AD) issued Service Bulletin (SB) SBM200 to provide inspection instructions.
For the reason described above, this AD requires repetitive inspections of the brake master cylinder pivot pins of rudder pedal assemblies #1 and #4 and, depending on findings, replacement of the affected pivot pins(s).
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1737.
Relevant Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group Service Bulletin SBM 200, Revision 1, dated April 2015. The transmittal letter for Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group SBM 200, Revision 1, incorrectly states it transmits the Initial Issue; page 1 of this service bulletin is dated April 2015; pages 2 through 8 are dated March 2015. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. The service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting the brake master cylinder pivot pins, part number (P/N) T67M-45-539, that are installed on rudder pedal assemblies #1 and #4 for cracks and distortion and replacing any damaged pivot pins. 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 of this AD.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because failure of a brake master cylinder pivot pin could cause the rudder pedal mechanism to detach from the brake master cylinder, which could result in jammed rudder controls and consequent loss of control. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2015-1737; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-014-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 2 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 6 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $50 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $1,120, or $560 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will take about .5 work-hours and require parts costing $100, for a cost of $142.50 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that may need these 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.
We are 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
We determined that 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) Is not a “significant rule” under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
Adoption of 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
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2015-11-01Slingsby Aviation Ltd.: Amendment 39-18164; Docket No. FAA-2015-1737; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-014-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 16, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Slingsby Aviation Ltd. Models T67M260 and T67M260-T3A airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight Controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failure of a brake master cylinder pivot pin. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a brake master cylinder pivot pin, which could cause the rudder pedal mechanism to detach from the brake master cylinder. This failure could result in jammed rudder controls and consequent loss of control.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD.
(1) Before further flight after June 16, 2015 (the effective date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter every 300 hours time-in-service or 12 months, whichever occurs first, inspect the brake master cylinder pivot pins, part number T67M-45-539, installed on rudder pedal assemblies #1 and #4. Do the inspections following the Accomplishment Instructions in Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group Service Bulletin SBM 200, Revision 1, dated April 2015. This AD does not require the retention and reporting requirements of paragraph (2) of F. COMPLETION in the Accomplishment Instructions of this service bulletin.
(2) If, during any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, any crack or distortion to a brake master cylinder pivot pin is found, or a pivot pin fails the dimensional check, before further flight, replace the affected pivot pin with a serviceable part. Do the replacement as specified in paragraph C.(1)(j) of the Inspection section of the Accomplishment Instructions in Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group Service Bulletin SBM 200, Revision 1, dated April 2015. After doing this replacement, continue with the repetitive inspection requirement in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(g) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 2015-0065-E, dated April 24, 2015, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1737.
(i) 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) Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group Service Bulletin SBM 200, Revision 1, dated April 2015.
Note 1 to paragraph (i)(2)(i): The transmittal letter for Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group SBM 200, Revision 1, dated April 2015, incorrectly states it transmits the Initial Issue; page 1 is dated April 2015; pages 2 through 8 are dated March 2015.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Slingsby Aviation Ltd. service information identified in this AD, contact Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, The Airport, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8RX, UK; telephone: +44 (0) 1223 399856; fax: +44 (0) 7825365617; email: mark.bright@marshalladg.com; Internet: www.marshalladg.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1737.
(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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 18, 2015.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-12448 Filed 5-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P