AD 2021-22-22

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 207 (Friday, October 29, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59845-59847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23516]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0700; Project Identifier 2019-CE-017-AD; Amendment 
39-21795; AD 2021-22-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. 
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 all 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. Model P2006T airplanes. 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 identifies 
the unsafe condition as a manufacturing defect in the nose landing gear 
(NLG) piston tube. This AD requires replacing the NLG piston tube. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 3, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A, Via S. D'acquisto 62, 
80042 Boscotrecase (NA), Italy; phone: +39 0823 620134; fax: +39 0823 
622899; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.tecnam.com/us/support/. 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 (816) 329-4148. It is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0700.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0700; 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, the 
MCAI, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; 
phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

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 all Costruzioni 
Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. Model P2006T airplanes. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on August 25, 2021 (86 FR 47422). The NPRM was 
prompted by MCAI originated by the European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union. EASA issued AD 2019-0043, dated March 6, 2019 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. Model P2006T 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Failures of NLG piston tubes P/N 26-8-1408-1 were reported 
during ground operations. Subsequent investigation determined a 
deficiency in NLG piston tube manufacturing process. It was also 
determined that only a specific batch is affected by this defect.

[[Page 59846]]

    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the 
NLG, possibly resulting in loss of control on the ground, during or 
after landing, with consequent damage to the aeroplane and injury to 
occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, TECNAM issued the 
[service bulletin] SB to provide instructions for the replacement of 
each affected part with a part that was manufactured by an improved 
process.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires removal 
from service of the affected parts.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0700.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. The FAA 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

    Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. Service Bulletin No. SB 288-
CS-Ed 1, Revision 1, dated December 22, 2017, is related to this AD and 
provides information about installing nose landing gear (NLG) piston 
tube kit number SB 288-1.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 59 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA also estimates it will take about 4 work-hours per 
airplane to comply with the replacement required by this AD and 
required parts would cost about $1,200 per airplane. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $90,860 or $1,540 per airplane.
    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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 
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:

2021-22-22 Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A.: Amendment 39-
21795; Docket No. FAA-2021-0700; Project Identifier 2019-CE-017-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 3, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. Model 
P2006T airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3220, Nose/Tail 
Landing Gear.

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    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 a manufacturing 
defect in the nose landing gear (NLG) piston tube. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the NLG upon 
or after landing.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For airplanes with an NLG piston tube part number (P/N) 26-
8-1408-1 installed and not marked ``rev. F00'': Within 50 hours 
time-in-service after the effective date of this AD or within 2 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, 
replace any P/N 26-8-1408-1 NLG piston tube with an improved part by 
installing NLG piston tube kit number SB 288-1.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an NLG 
piston tube P/N 26-8-1408-1 on any airplane unless it is marked 
``rev. F00.''

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD or 
email: [email protected].
    (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.

 (j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jim Rutherford, 
Aviation Safety

[[Page 59847]]

Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; 
phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0043, dated March 6, 2019, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0700.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A, Via S. D'acquisto 62, 80042 
Boscotrecase (NA), Italy; phone: +39 0823 620134; fax: +39 0823 
622899; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.tecnam.com/us/support/. You may review this referenced 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 (816) 329-4148.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on October 22, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-23516 Filed 10-28-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P