[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36399-36401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15981]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 146 / Monday, July 30, 2018 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 36399]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0204; Product Identifier 2018-CE-003-AD; Amendment 
39-19339; AD 2018-15-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl Model P2006T 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 an incorrect part number for the rudder trim 
actuator is referenced in the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual) and the 
life limit for that part may not be properly applied in service. We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 4, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0204; or in person at U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam srl, Via Tasso, 478, 80127 Napoli, Italy, phone: 
+39 0823 620134, fax: +39 0823 622899, email: [email protected], 
internet: https://www.tecnam.com/us/support/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer 
FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Costruzioni Aeronautiche 
Tecnam srl Model P2006T airplane. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on March 19, 2018 (83 FR 11903). The NPRM proposed to correct 
an unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Community. The MCAI states:

    It was identified that the Part Number (P/N) of the rudder trim 
actuator mentioned in the P2006T Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) document was erroneously 
mentioned. As a result, it cannot be excluded that the life limit 
applicable to this actuator is not being applied in service.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the 
rudder control system, possibly resulting in reduced control of the 
aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, TECNAM published 
Service Bulletin (SB)-285-CS Ed. 1 Rev. 0 (later revised) to inform 
operators about this typographical error. It is expected that, 
during the next revision of the P2006T AMM ALS document, it will 
list the correct the P/N for that rudder trim actuator.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
implementation of a life limit for rudder trim actuator.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2018-0204-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Changes Made to This AD

    We changed the incorporation by reference of the service 
information for adding a life limit to the Airworthiness Limitations 
section of the maintenance program to only a reference. The service 
information does not provide any specific procedures or instructions 
for establishing the life limit.
    We also inadvertently omitted information for ``Contacting the 
Manufacturer,'' which is a standard paragraph for FAA ADs related to 
MCAIs. We have added that paragraph in the final rule as paragraph 
(g)(2).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for the 
changes stated above and other minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl has issued Service Bulletin No. 
SB 285-CS-Ed 1, Revision 2, dated February 2, 2018. The service 
information describes procedures for correcting the part number of the 
rudder trim actuator in the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 20 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with this requirement to incorporate a correction to the 
Airworthiness Limitations section of the FAA-approved maintenance 
program (e.g., maintenance manual). 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 $1,700, or $85 per product.

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

[[Page 36400]]

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, 
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and 
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation 
Division.

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 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.

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-2018-
0204; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Operations (telephone 
(800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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

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 (AD):

2018-15-07 Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl: Amendment 39-19339; 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0204; Product Identifier 2018-CE-003-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 4, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl Model 
P2006T airplanes, all serial numbers that do not incorporate design 
change TECNAM modification (Mod) 2006/322 at production, 
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) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and address an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as an incorrect 
part number for the rudder trim actuator is referenced in the 
Airworthiness Limitations section of the FAA-approved maintenance 
program (e.g., maintenance manual), and the life limit for that part 
may not be properly applied in service. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the rudder trim actuator, which could cause the 
rudder control system to fail. This failure could result in reduced 
control of the airplane.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (3) of this AD. The hours time-in-service (TIS) 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD are those accumulated on 
the rudder trim actuator, part number (P/N) B6-7T, since first 
installed on an airplane. If the total hours TIS are unknown, the 
hours TIS on the airplane must be used.
    (1) Initially replace the rudder trim actuator, P/N B6-7T, at 
the compliance time in paragraph (f)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD that 
occurs later:
    (i) Before accumulating 1,000 hours TIS; or
    (ii) Within the next 25 hours TIS after September 4, 2018 (the 
effective date of this AD) or within the next 30 days after 
September 4, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs 
first.
    (2) After the initial replacement required in paragraph (f)(1) 
of this AD, repetitively thereafter replace the rudder trim 
actuator, P/N B6-7T, at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours TIS.
    (3) Within the next 12 months after September 4, 2018 (the 
effective date of this AD), revise the Airworthiness Limitations 
section of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance 
manual) by establishing a 1,000-hour life limit for the rudder trim 
actuator P/N B6-7T. You may refer to Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam 
srl (TECNAM) Service Bulletin No. SB 285-CS-Ed 1, Revision 1 (dated 
November 7, 2017) or Revision 2 (dated February 2, 2018) for more 
information.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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 Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-
4090; email: [email protected]. 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA).

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2018-0029, dated January 31, 2018, and Costruzioni Aeronautiche 
Tecnam srl Service Bulletin No. SB 285-CS-Ed 1, Revision 1, dated 
November 7, 2017, and Revision 2, dated February 2, 2018, for 
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the internet 
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2018-0204-0002.


[[Page 36401]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 19, 2018.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division (AIR-601), 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-15981 Filed 7-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


