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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0813; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01316-A;
Amendment 39-22194; AD 2022-20-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair 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
Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68, P.68B, P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 ``Observer,''
P.68TC ``Observer,'' P.68 ``Observer 2,'' and P.68R airplanes. This AD
results from 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 corrosion causing failure of the upper rudder
hinge. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the upper and lower
rudder hinges for corrosion, cracking, and damage, and depending on the
inspection results, taking corrective action. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 28, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 28,
2022.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-0813; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Vulcanair S.p.A., Fulvio Oloferni, via Giovanni Pascoli, 7,
80026 Naples, Italy; phone: +39 081 5918 135; email:
vulcanair.com">airworthiness@vulcanair.com; website: vulcanair.com.
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 (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0813.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John DeLuca, Aviation Safety Engineer,
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516)
228-7369; email: john.p.deluca@faa.gov.
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 Vulcanair S.p.A.
Model P.68, P.68B, P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 ``Observer,'' P.68TC
``Observer,'' P.68 ``Observer 2,'' and P.68R airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2022 (87 FR 40755). The
NPRM was prompted by AD 2021-0267, dated November 24, 2021 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), issued by the European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union. The MCAI states:
Occurrences were reported of failures of the upper rudder hinge
on P.68 aeroplanes due to corrosion, which can occur if the
aeroplane is operated in an environment which may favour the
formation of corrosion.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could interfere
with rudder movement and ultimately lead to failure, possibly
resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Vulcanair issued the
SL [Vulcanair Aircraft Alert Service Letter No. 23, Revision 2,
dated September 29, 2021] and updated the applicable AMM [Aircraft
Maintenance Manual], as defined in this [EASA] AD, to provide
inspection instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive inspections of the upper and lower rudder hinges and,
depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective
action(s).
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively inspecting
the upper and lower rudder hinges for corrosion, cracking, and damage,
and depending on the inspection results, taking corrective action. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2022-0813.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are 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 referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and
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 Vulcanair Aircraft Alert Service Letter No. 23,
Revision 2, dated September 29, 2021, which specifies procedures for
inspecting the upper and lower rudder hinges for corrosion, cracking,
and damage, and specifies contacting Vulcanair for instructions to
repair an affected rudder hinge. This service information also refers
to the applicable aircraft maintenance manuals for additional
inspection procedures. The FAA also reviewed the following service
information, which specifies procedures for maintaining various
structural parts.
These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane
models.
Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68C &
P.68C-TC Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-1, Revision 7, dated May 11,
2021.
Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68
Observer 2 & P.68TC Observer Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-2, Revision
8, dated November 11, 2021.
Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68R
Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-3, Revision 12, dated December 12, 2019.
Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68C
Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-1B, Revision 9, dated August 30, 2017.
Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68-TC
Observer Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-4A, Revision 4, dated March 15,
2018.
Section B, Structure, of the Vulcanair Aircraft A/C P68B
Victor Maintenance Manual, NOR.10.709-9, Revision 16, dated September
22, 2017.
Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68
Observer 2 Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-10, Revision 5, dated October
23, 2017.
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.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to Model P.68 ``Victor,'' P.68B ``Victor,'' and
P.68R ``Victor'' airplanes, which are identified on the FAA type
certificate as Model P.68, P.68B, and P.68R airplanes, respectively.
The MCAI requires contacting Vulcanair for approved repair
instructions, while this AD does not.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 14 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
| Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per airplane |
Cost on U.S. operators |
| Visual inspection of upper and
lower rudder hinges |
2 work-hours x $85
per hour = $170 |
Not applicable |
$170 per inspection
cycle |
$2,380 per inspection
cycle |
| Disassembly for dye inspection
of the top rudder hinge (bracket) |
7 work-hours x $85
per hour = $595 |
Not applicable |
$595 per inspection
cycle |
$8,330 per inspection
cycle |
| Disassembly for dye inspection
for the lower rudder hinge (control tube) |
8 work-hours x $85
per hour = $680 |
Not applicable |
$680 per inspection
cycle |
$9,520 per inspection
cycle |
| Dye inspection of upper and lower
rudder hinges (post disassembly) |
2 work-hours x $85
per hour = $170 |
Not applicable |
$170 per inspection
cycle |
$2,380 per inspection
cycle |
The FAA estimates the following costs
to do any necessary actions
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. The FAA
has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these
actions.
On-Condition Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
airplane
|
| Replacement of the top rudder
hinge (bracket) |
7 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$595
|
$320
|
$915
|
| Replacement of the lower rudder
hinge (control tube) |
8 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$680 |
1,020
|
1,700
|
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
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