AD 95-17-09

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 161 (Monday, August 21, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43360-43362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20275]


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[[Page 43361]]


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-13-AD; Amendment 39-9339; AD 95-17-09]


Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227 series airplanes 
that utilize a direct current (DC) generator. This action requires 
relocating the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) essential bus current 
limiters (225 amp) to the battery bus (main bus tie). A safety 
recommendation received by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
that details potential electrical failure problems on Fairchild 
Aircraft SA226 and SA227 series airplanes prompted this action. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the LH 
and RH essential bus when engine failure results in a blown generator 
current limiter, which could result in loss of airplane electrical 
power.

DATES: Effective October 3, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 3, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Fairchild Aircraft, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-
0490; telephone (210) 824-9421. This information may also be examined 
at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-13-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George R. Hash, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone (817) 222-5134; facsimile (817) 
222-5959.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to certain Fairchild Aircraft SA226 and SA227 series airplanes that 
utilize a DC generator was published in the Federal Register on March 
16, 1995 (60 FR 14235). The action proposed to require relocating the 
LH and RH essential bus current limiters (225 amp) to the battery bus 
(main bus tie). Accomplishment of the proposed modification would be in 
accordance with Fairchild Aircraft Engineering Kit Drawing 27K82376, 
``Current Limiter Rebusing Kit,'' as referenced in Fairchild Service 
Bulletin (SB) 226-24-034, SB 227-24-015, and SB CC7-24-002, all Issued: 
September 29, 1994.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. One comment was received in favor of 
the proposal and no comments were received regarding the FAA's estimate 
of the cost impact upon the public.
    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 622 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $98 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $210,236 or $338 per airplane. This 
figure is based on the assumption that no affected airplane owner/
operator has incorporated the required modification. Fairchild Aircraft 
has informed the FAA that parts have not been distributed to any owner/
operator of the affected airplanes.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

95-17-09 Fairchild Aircraft: Amendment 39-9339; Docket No. 95-CE-13-
AD.

    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes 
that utilize a direct current (DC) generator, certificated in any 
category.

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                      Models                             Serial Nos.    
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SA226-T, SA226-AT, SA226-TC, and SA226-T(B).......  All                 
SA227-AC, SA227-AT, SA227-BC, and SA227-TT........  1 through 733.      
SA227-CC and SA227-DC.............................  784, and 790 through
                                                     883.               
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    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

[[Page 43362]]

    Compliance: Required within the next 2,000 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) 
essential bus when engine failure results in a blown generator 
current limiter, which could result in loss of airplane electrical 
power, accomplish the following:
    (a) Relocate the LH and RH essential bus current limiters (225 
amp) to the battery bus (main bus tie) in accordance with Fairchild 
Aircraft Engineering Kit Drawing 27K82376, ``Current Limiter 
Rebusing Kit,'' as referenced in the following service bulletins 
(SB):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       SB                   Date                   Models affected      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
226-24-034....  September 29, 1994.........  All affected SA226 models. 
227-24-015....  September 29, 1994.........  SA227-AD, SA227-AT, SA227- 
                                              BC, and SA227-TT.         
CC7-24-002....  September 29, 1994.........  SA227-CC and SA227-DC.     
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150. 
The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Fort Worth ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.

    (d) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Fairchild Aircraft Engineering Kit Drawing 27K82376, 
``Current Limiter Rebusing Kit,'' as referenced in Fairchild 
Aircraft Service Bulletins 226-24-034, 227-24-015, and CC7-24-002, 
all Issued: September 29, 1994. This incorporation by reference was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
Fairchild Aircraft, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-0490. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., 7th Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment (39-9339) becomes effective on October 3, 
1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 10, 1995.
Gerald W. Pierce,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20275 Filed 8-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U