80 FR 79256 - Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 244 (December 21, 2015)

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-09-01 for certain Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160 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 a need to revise the maintenance program to include the revised airworthiness limitations for the internal wing structure and wing attachment inspections. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 244 (Monday, December 21, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79256-79258]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31716]



[[Page 79256]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3956; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-032-AD; 
Amendment 39-18345; AD 2015-25-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alpha Aviation Concept Limited 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-09-01 for 
certain Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160 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 a need to revise the maintenance program to 
include the revised airworthiness limitations for the internal wing 
structure and wing attachment inspections. We are issuing this AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 25, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of January 25, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3956; or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 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 final rule, contact 
Alpha Aviation Holdings Limited, Steele Road, RD 2 Hamilton Airport, 
Hamilton 3282, New Zealand, telephone: +64 7 843 9877; fax: +64 7 929 
2878; Internet: http://www.alphaaviation.co.nz/. 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 Docket No. FAA-2015-3956.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; 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 certain Alpha Aviation 
Concept Limited Model R2160 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on September 25, 2015 (80 FR 57753), and proposed to 
supersede AD 2008-09-01, Amendment 39-15481 (73 FR 21519, April 22, 
2008).
    Since we issued AD 2008-09-01, Amendment 39-15481 (73 FR 21519, 
April 22, 2008), Alpha Aviation Concept Limited developed a longer life 
limit for the wing structure and wing attachments and transferred the 
life limit information from the related service information to the 
airplane maintenance manual. Subsequently, Alpha Aviation Concept 
Limited discovered that the analysis that allowed the life limit 
increase was incorrect and the previous life limit and inspection 
provisions of the related service bulletin should be retained.
    The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation 
authority for New Zealand, has issued AD DCA/R2000/43, dated August 7, 
2015 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that:

    This AD introduces a change to the airworthiness limitations for 
the internal wing structure and wing attachment inspections. These 
inspection intervals were increased and added to Section 3.2--
Airworthiness Limitations of the applicable Service Manual in 
January 2015. Section 3.2 of the respective Service Manuals has now 
been revised to revert to the original inspection intervals.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-3956-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 57753, September 
25, 2015) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 57753, September 25, 2015) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 57753, September 25, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Alpha Aviation Concept Limited has revised its Alpha Aviation APEX 
R2000 Service Manual, S/N 001 to 378, and Alpha Aviation R2000 Service 
Manual. The updated service manuals include a revision to Section 3: 
Airworthiness Limitations, Time Limits, & Maintenance Inspections, 
Issued August 2015, that adds periodic internal wing structure and wing 
attachment inspections. These revisions to the Airworthiness 
Limitations section of the applicable service manuals are reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to them through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 9 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 3 work-hours per product to 
comply with the 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 $2,295, or $255 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 12 work-hours and require parts costing $1,326, for a cost 
of $2,346 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

[[Page 79257]]

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 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-2015-
3956 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.

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 removing Amendment 39-15481 (73 FR 
21519, April 22, 2008) and adding the following new AD:

2015-25-07 Alpha Aviation Concept Limited: Amendment 39-18345; 
Docket No. FAA-2015-3956; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-032-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 25, 
2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2008-09-01, Amendment 39-15481 (73 FR 
21519, April 22, 2008) (``AD 2008-09-01'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Alpha Aviation Concept Limited Model R2160 
airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 001 through 378, and 160A-06001 and 
subsequent, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 5: Time Limits.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated 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 a need to revise 
the maintenance program to include the revised airworthiness 
limitations for the internal wing structure and wing attachment 
inspections. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the wing 
structure and fuselage attachment due to undetected fatigue and 
corrosion.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, before further flight after January 25, 
2016 (the effective date of this AD), insert the following into the 
Airworthiness Limitations section of the FAA-approved maintenance 
program (e.g., maintenance manual). These revisions to the 
Limitations sections incorporate the wing spar inspection upon the 
accumulation of 3,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) and require a 
repetitive inspection thereafter every 750 hours TIS (the 
requirements of AD 2008-09-01):
    (1) For S/Ns 001 through 378: Insert paragraph 3.4.9, Wing 3500 
hr Inspection, on pages 3-3 and 3-4, dated August 2015, of Section 
3: Airworthiness Limitations, Time Limits, & Maintenance 
Inspections, dated August 2015, of the APEX R2000 Service Manual S/N 
001 to 378, Alpha Aviation Ltd.
    (2) For S/Ns 160A-06001 and subsequent: Insert paragraph 3.4.9, 
Wing 3500 hr Inspection, on pages 3-3 and 3-4, dated August 2015, of 
Section 3: Airworthiness Limitations, Time Limits, & Maintenance 
Inspections, all dated August 2015, of the R2000 Service Manual, 
Alpha Aviation Ltd.

(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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; 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) 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 Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD DCA/R2000/43, 
dated August 7, 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-2015-3956-0002.

(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) Paragraph 3.4.9, Wing 3500 hr Inspection, on pages 3-3 and 
3-4, dated August 2015, of Section 3: Airworthiness Limitations, 
Time Limits, & Maintenance Inspections, dated August 2015, of the 
APEX R2000 Service Manual S/N 001 to 378, Alpha Aviation Ltd.
    (ii) Paragraph 3.4.9, Wing 3500 hr Inspection, on pages 3-3 and 
3-4, dated August 2015, of Section 3: Airworthiness Limitations, 
Time Limits, & Maintenance Inspections, all dated August 2015, of 
the R2000 Service Manual, Alpha Aviation Ltd.
    (3) For Alpha Aviation Concept Limited service information 
identified in this AD, contact Alpha Aviation Holdings Limited, 
Steele Road, RD 2 Hamilton Airport, Hamilton 3282, New Zealand, 
telephone: +64 7 843 9877; fax: +64 7 929 2878; Internet: http://www.alphaaviation.co.nz/.
    (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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-3956.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the

[[Page 79258]]

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 December 11, 2015.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-31716 Filed 12-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P