Airworthiness Directives; Reims Aviation S.A. Airplanes
Docket Name:
2012-CE-042-AD
Docket RIN
(g) Other FAA AD Provisions
(h) Related Information
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Reims Aviation S.A. Model F406 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as improper material used in nose landing gear (NLG) attachment brackets could lead to failure of the NLG bracket with consequent damage to the airplane while landing. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 28, 2013.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Reims Aviation Industries, Aérodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 Prunay, France; telephone + 33 3 26 48 46 65; fax + 33 3 26 49 18 57; email: stephan.lapagne@reims-aviation.fr; Internet: www.geciaviation.com/​en/​f406.html. You may review copies of the 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.
Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: albert.mercado@faa.gov.
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2012 (77 FR 72252). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
During the manufacturing process, RAI found that some of the nose landing gear (NLG) attachment brackets, Part Number (P/N) 6013119-1, were made of aluminum alloy, instead of steel. The results of the investigations showed that some of these aluminum alloy brackets are likely to be installed on aeroplanes currently in service.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of the NLG attachment bracket and jamming of the NLG extension/retraction mechanism, possibly resulting in a runway excursion and consequent damage to the aeroplane and injury to the occupants.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires inspection of the NLG attachment bracket P/N 6013119-1 and, depending on findings, replacement with a serviceable bracket made of steel.
In addition, as some aluminum alloy P/N 6013119-1 NLG attachment brackets may have been supplied as spares, this AD also requires determination that the part is made of steel, prior to installation.
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 72252, December 5, 2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 72252, December 5, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the (77 FR 72252, December 5, 2012).
We estimate that this AD will affect 7 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about .5 work-hour per product to comply with Start Printed Page 11979the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $42.50, or $297.50 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would take about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $500, for a cost of $755 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that may need these actions.
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov;​ 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 the NPRM, 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.
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2013-04-02 Reims Aviation S.A.: Amendment 39-17359; Docket No. FAA-2012-1274; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-042-AD.
This AD applies to Reims Aviation S.A. F406 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing Gear.
This AD was prompted by reports of improper material used in nose landing gear (NLG) attachment brackets that could lead to failure of the NLG bracket with consequent damage to the airplane while landing. We are issuing this AD to ensure the proper NLG attachment bracket is installed.
Unless already done, do the following actions following the Accomplishment Instructions numbers 1 through 5 in Reims Aviation Industries Service Bulletin No. F406-74, dated September 26, 2012:
(1) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after March 28, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 30 days after March 28, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, inspect the nose landing gear (NLG) attachment brackets, part number (P/N) 6013119-1, to verify if they are made of steel and not aluminum alloy.
(2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, you find that a NLG attachment bracket made of aluminum alloy is installed, before further flight, replace with an airworthy steel NLG attachment bracket, P/N 6013119-1.
(3) As of March 28, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do not install any NLG attachment bracket P/N 6013119-1 unless it is made of steel.
(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: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: albert.mercado@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.
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2012-0202, dated October 1, 2012; and Reims Aviation Industries Service Bulletin No. F406-74, dated September 26, 2012, for related information.Start Printed Page 11980
(i) Reims Aviation Industries Service Bulletin No. F406-74, dated September 26, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Reims Aviation Industries service information identified in this AD, contact Reims Aviation Industries, Aérodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 Prunay, France; telephone + 33 3 26 48 46 65; fax + 33 3 26 49 18 57; email: stephan.lapagne@reims-aviation.fr; Internet: www.geciaviation.com/​en/​f406.html.
(4) You may view this service information at 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.
(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 February 12, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.