DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0712; Project Identifier 2019-CE-018-AD; Amendment
39-21807; AD 2021-23-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; ASI Aviation (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Reims Aviation S.A.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-16-07
R1, which applied to certain Reims Aviation S.A. (type certificate now
held by ASI Aviation) Model F406 airplanes. AD 2015-16-07 R1 required
inspecting the left-hand and right-hand rudder control pedal torque
tubes and replacing with a serviceable part as necessary. Since the FAA
issued AD 2015-16-07 R1, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to
correct an unsafe condition on these products. This AD retains the
requirements of AD 2015-16-07 R1, expands the applicability, and
requires repeating the inspections using updated procedures. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 10, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 10,
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact ASI Aviation, Aerodrome de Reims Prunay, 51360 Prunay,
France; telephone: +33 3 26 48 46 84; fax: +33 3 26 49 18 57; email:
contact@asi-aviation.fr; website: https://asi-aviation.fr/page-Accueil.html.
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-2021-0712.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0712; 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: Gregory Johnson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, International Validation Section, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, MO 64106-2641; phone: (720) 626-5462; email:
gregory.johnson@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2015-16-07 R1, Amendment 39-18328 (80 FR
72563, November 20, 2015) (AD 2015-16-07 R1). AD 2015-16-07 R1 applied
to certain Reims Aviation S.A. (type certificate now held by ASI
Aviation) Model F406 airplanes and required inspecting the left-hand
and right-hand rudder control pedal torque tubes and replacing with a
serviceable part as necessary. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on August 27, 2021 (86 FR 48083).
The NPRM was prompted by AD 2019-0016, dated January 29, 2019
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI
states:

An occurrence was reported where one pilot rudder control pedal
of an F 406 aeroplane detached in flight. No change in aeroplane
attitude occurred. The rudder was controlled using the co-pilot
rudder pedals, and an uneventful landing was made. Investigation
results determined that the affected rudder pedal torque tube had
failed due to a crack.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
further cases of rudder pedal torque tube failure, possibly
resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, ASI Aviation issued
SB [service bulletin] F406-104 to provide inspection instructions.
Consequently, EASA issued Emergency AD 2015-0159-E (later revised)
to require a one-time inspection of the rudder control pedal torque
tubes, both left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH), and, depending on
findings, replacement with a serviceable part. That [EASA] AD also
required inspection of replacement rudder control pedal torque tubes
before installation.
Since EASA AD 2015-0159R1 was issued, further occurrences were
reported of finding cracks on rudder pedal torque tubes.
Consequently, ASI Aviation issued the SB (as defined in this [EASA]
AD) to provide instructions for repetitive visual, dye- or
fluorescent-penetrant, and magnetic particle inspections.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the
requirements of EASA AD 2015-0159R1, which is superseded, and
requires implementation of repetitive inspections of the affected
parts and, depending on findings, replacement.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0712.

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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed ASI Aviation Service Bulletin No. F406-104,
Revision 1, dated December 14, 2018. The service information specifies
procedures for repetitively inspecting the left-hand and right-hand
rudder control pedal torque tubes for cracks and replacing with a
serviceable part. 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 ADDRESSES.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

The MCAI specifies an initial compliance time of during the next
600 flight hour (FH) maintenance check for a visual and a dye or
fluorescent penetrant inspection. This AD requires those initial
inspections before further flight.
The MCAI specifies an initial compliance time of during the next
2,400 FH maintenance check for a magnetic particle inspection. This AD
requires that initial inspection within
100 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD.
If a crack is detected during any inspection, the MCAI specifies
contacting ASI Aviation for further information. This AD requires
replacing the rudder control pedal torque tube with a serviceable part.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

The FAA estimates the following costs to replace a rudder control
pedal torque tube if required by the results of the inspections. The
FAA has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need
these replacements:

On-Condition Costs

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

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

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2015-16-07 R1, Amendment 39-18328
(80 FR 72563, November 20, 2015); and

b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: