DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0047; Product Identifier 2018-CE-062-AD; Amendment
39-19549; AD 2019-02-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pacific Aerospace Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Pacific Aerospace Ltd. Model FBA-2C1, FBA-2C2, FBA-2C3, and FBA-2C4
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of corrosion found in the
external and internal surfaces of an elevator push-pull rod. This AD
requires an inspection for corrosion of the elevator push-pull rod
assembly, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 27, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 27,
2019.
We must receive comments on this AD by March 29, 2019.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this final rule, contact
Pacific Aerospace Ltd., Airport Road, Hamilton, Private Bag 3027,
Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; telephone: +64 7843 6144; fax: +64 7843
6134; email: pacific@aerospace.co.nz; internet: www.aerospace.co.nz.
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and
Innovation, 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 and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0047.

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-2019-
0047; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations (telephone 800-
647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7330; fax 516-
794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand has issued New Zealand
AD DCA/FBA/4, effective December 6, 2018 (referred to after this as the
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for all Pacific Aerospace Ltd. Model FBA-
2C1, FBA-2C2, FBA-2C3, and FBA-2C4 airplanes. The MCAI states:

During a visual inspection corrosion was found in the external
surface of a push-pull rod on a FBA-2C1 aircraft in operation
overseas. Further investigation revealed severe corrosion in the
internal surface of the elevator push-pull rod. To ensure the
integrity of the elevator push-pull rod assembly DCA/FBA/4 is issued
to mandate the instructions in Pacific Aerospace Service Bulletin
(SB) PACSB/2C/001 issue 1, dated 25 September 2018.

The unsafe condition is failure of the elevator push-pull rod due
to corrosion in the internal surface, which could result in loss of
elevator control. Although the unsafe condition was found on a Model
FBA-2C1 airplane, we have determined that the design of the push-pull
rod assembly is similar on Model FBA-2C2, FBA-2C3, and FBA-2C4
airplanes; therefore, the unsafe condition may exist on those airplane
models as well. You may examine the
MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0047.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Pacific Aerospace Ltd. has issued Service Bulletin PACSB/2C/001,
Issue 1, dated September 25, 2018. This service information describes
the following procedures:
A borescopic inspection for corrosion of the internal
surface of the elevator push-pull rod assembly, and replacement of any
push-pull rod assembly that has interior corrosion.
an inspection for corrosion of the exterior of any
elevator push-pull rod assembly with no internal corrosion, and
corrective actions including removal of light corrosion and replacement
of any elevator push-pull rod assembly that has moderate to severe
corrosion.
other applicable specified actions including application
of lubricant and corrosion-inhibiting compound.
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

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.

Requirements of This AD

This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because failure of the elevator push-pull rod assembly in flight could
result in loss of elevator control and loss of control of the airplane.
Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reasons stated
above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0047; Product
Identifier 2018-CE-062-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD based on
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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 3 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on replacement
will take 2 work-hours and require parts costing $272, for a cost of
$442 per product. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need this on-condition action.
Since corrosion may affect the parts subject to inspection
differently, and the severity of the corrosion on the part will affect
the time necessary to correct the condition, we have no way to
determine an overall cost per product for removing the corrosion.

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 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,
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation
Division.

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 that 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.

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

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):