DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0833; Product Identifier 2018-CE-031-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Weatherly Aircraft Company

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Weatherly Aircraft Company (Weatherly) Models 201, 201A, 201B, 201C,
620, 620A, 620B, 620B-TG, and 620TP airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of fatigue cracking of the center wing and outer
wing spar hinge brackets due to corrosion pitting. This proposed AD
would require repetitive inspections of the wing hinge brackets, pins,
and wing spar structure with repair or replacement of parts as
necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 2, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: 202-493-2251.

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Weatherly
Aircraft Company, 2034 West Potomac Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622-
3152; telephone: (424) 772-1812; email: garybeck@cox.net. You may
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Policy
and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816)
329-4148.

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-
0833; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Suite
100, Lakewood, California, 90712; phone: (562) 627-5325; fax: (562)
627-5210; email: mike.s.lee@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2018-0833;
Product Identifier 2018-CE-018-AD" at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because
of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

In 2015, we were notified of a fatal accident caused by the in-
flight structural failure of a wing on a Weatherly Model 620B airplane.
The accident investigation found multiple fatigue cracks in the center
wing front spar lower hinge bracket. As a result of operator
inspections, a cracked hinge bracket in the center wing to outer wing
joint was also reported on a different airplane. The hinge bracket from
the second report had completely failed, and the airplane was relying
on the second failsafe hinge bracket to carry the wing loads. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the wing front
spar lower hinge brackets and lead to in-flight separation of the wing
with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

To correct this unsafe condition, we issued AD 2016-07-11 (81 FR
18461, March 31, 2016) ("AD 2016-07-11"), which requires a one-time
visual inspection of the center and outer wing front spar lower hinge
brackets for cracks and corrosion and corrective action as necessary.
AD 2016-07-11 also requires sending a report of the inspection results
to the FAA.

Since we issued AD 2016-07-11, Weatherly has developed improved
center wing hinge brackets manufactured from corrosion resistant
material. Weatherly also issued new service information for repetitive
visual and detailed inspections. Since the cause of the fatigue cracks
were attributed to corrosion pits on the accident airplane, we propose
to issue this new AD to require those repetitive visual and detailed
inspection actions.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Weatherly 201/620 Service Bulletin SB-201/620-18001,
Revision C, dated May 21, 2018. The service information describes
procedures for initial and repetitive inspections of the wing hinge
brackets, pins, and wing spar structure for corrosion and/or cracks
with repair or replacement as necessary. This service
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require repetitive visual and detailed
inspections of the wing hinge brackets, pins, and wing spar structure
for corrosion and/or cracks with replacement of parts as necessary.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 94 airplanes of U.S.
registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need
these replacements.

On-Condition Costs

The on-condition costs reflects the cost to replace the entire
assembly. The scope of damage found in the required inspection and
which specific parts need replaced could vary significantly from
airplane to airplane. We have no way of determining how much damage may
be found on each airplane or the cost to repair damaged parts on each
airplane or the number of airplanes that may require repair.

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
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 proposed 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
regulation:

(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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):