AD 98-19-15 R1

This amendment revises Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-19-15, which currently requires incorporating information into the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) that imposes a speed restriction and a minimum pilot requirement for Fairchild Aircraft, Inc. (Fairchild) SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with Barber-Colman pitch trim actuators, part number (P/N) 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005. Since AD 98-19-15 became effective, improved design pitch trim actuators have been developed that, when installed, will eliminate the speed restriction and minimum pilot requirements of the current AD. This AD requires incorporating these installations as a method of complying with the current AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to lessen the possibility of airplane pitch up caused by mechanical failure of the pitch trim actuator, which could result in a pitch upset and structural failure of the airplane.

Final rule

98-19-15 R1 FAIRCHILD AIRCRAFT, INC.: Amendment 39-11507; Docket No. 98-CE-84-AD, Revises AD 98-19-15, Amendment 39-10794. Applicability: Models SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-AT, SA226- TC, SA227-TT, SA227-AT, SA227-AC, SA227-BC, SA227-CC, and SA227-DC airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category; that are equipped with Barber-Colman pitch trim actuators, part number (P/N) 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005.

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 request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished or made unnecessary by replacement of the P/N 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005 Barber-Colman pitch trim actuator with a Simmonds-Precision actuator, P/N DL5040M5, P/N DL5040M6, or P/N DL5040M8; or a Barber-Colman actuator, P/N 27-19008-006 or P/N 27-19008-007.

To lessen the possibility of airplane pitch up caused by mechanical failure of the pitch trim actuator, which could result in a pitch upset and structural failure of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Prior to further flight after September 25, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-19-15), revise the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by incorporating the following into the Limitations Section of the AFM. This may be accomplished byinserting a copy of this AD into the AFM:

"Limit the maximum indicated airspeed to maneuvering airspeed (Va) as shown in the appropriate airplane flight manual (AFM)."

and

"The minimum crew required is two pilots."

NOTE 2: Fairchild Service Letter 226-SL-017, Fairchild Service Letter 227-SL-033, and Fairchild Service Letter CC7-SL-023, all FAA Approved: August 26, 1998; Revised: September 2, 1998; address the subject matter of this AD.

NOTE 3: The prior to further flight compliance time of paragraph (a) of this AD is being retained from AD 98-19-15. The only substantive difference between this AD and AD 98-19-15 is the addition of the alternative method of compliance referenced in paragraph (c) of this AD.

(b) Incorporating the AFM revision, as specified in paragraph (a) of this AD, may be performed by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and mustbe entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

NOTE 4: This AD does not affect AD 97-23-01, Amendment 39-10188 (62 FR 5922, November 3, 1997). AD 97-23-01 still applies to all SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with either Barber-Colman or Simmonds-Precision pitch trim actuators. AD 97-23-01 will be superseded to cover the improved design pitch trim actuators referenced in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD. AD 97-23-01 requires the following:

- repetitively measuring the freeplay of the pitch trim actuator and repetitively inspecting the actuator for rod slippage or ratcheting;

- immediately replacing any actuator if certain freeplay limitations are exceeded or rod slippage or ratcheting is evident; and

- eventually replacing the Simmonds-Precision actuators regardless of the inspection results.

(c) As an alternative method of complianceto the requirements of this AD, replace each of the P/N 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005 Barber-Colman pitch trim actuators with one of the following, or FAA-approved equivalent part number:

(1) Barber-Colman P/N 27-19008-006 or P/N 27-19008-007 pitch trim actuators. Procedures to install these pitch trim actuators are contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin 226-27-064 , Fairchild Service Bulletin 227-27-046, and Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-015. All airplane models are eligible for this installation and airplane models vary by service bulletin;

(2) Simmonds-Precision P/N DL5040M5 or P/N DL5040M6 pitch trim actuators. All airplane models are eligible for this installation. Procedures and limitations to install these pitch trim actuators for the Models SA227-CC and SA227-DC airplanes are contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-014, and are contained in engineering data for all other models (contact Fairchild); or

(3) Simmonds-Precision P/N DL5040M8 pitch trim actuators. Procedures and limitations to install these pitch trim actuators are contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin 227-27-045, Fairchild Service Bulletin 226-27-063, and Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-013. All airplane models are eligible for this installation and airplane models vary by service bulletin.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 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.

(e) 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.

(1) 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.

(2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance with AD 98-19-15 are considered approved as alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

NOTE 5: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.

(f) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of the documents referred to herein upon request to Fairchild Aircraft, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-0490; or may examine these documents at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 3, 2000.

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Fairchild SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with Barber-Colman pitch trim actuators, part number (P/N) 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005 was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 23, 1999 (64 FR 51479). The NPRM proposed to revise AD 98-19-15 . AD 98-19-15 Amendment 39-10794 (63 FR 50983, September 24, 1998), currently requires incorporating the following information into the applicable AFM on Fairchild SA226 and SA227 airplanes that are equipped with Barber-Colman pitch trim actuators, P/N 27-19008-001/-004 or P/N 27-19008-002/-005:

"Limit the maximum indicated airspeed to maneuvering airspeed (Va) as shown in the appropriate airplane flight manual (AFM)."

and

"The minimum crew required is two pilots."

The following service information describes the AFM requirements:

- Fairchild Service Letter 226-SL-017, FAA Approved: August 26, 1998; Revised: September 2, 1998;

- Fairchild Service Letter 227-SL-033, FAA Approved: August 26, 1998; Revised: September 2, 1998; and

- Fairchild Service Letter CC7-SL-023, FAA Approved: August 26, 1998; Revised: September 2, 1998.

The NPRM proposed to retain the requirements of the existing AD, and would provide the option of incorporating one of the design alternatives developed since the issuance of AD 98-19-15. These design alternatives are:

- Barber-Colman P/N 27-19008-006 or P/N 27-19008-007 pitch trim actuators. Procedures to install these pitch trim actuators are contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin 226-27-064 , Fairchild Service Bulletin 227-27-046, and Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-015. All airplane models are eligible for this installation and airplane models vary by service bulletin;

- Simmonds-Precision P/N DL5040M5 or P/N DL5040M6 pitch trim actuators. All airplane models are eligible for this installation. Procedures and limitations to install these pitch trim actuators for the Models SA227-CC and SA227-DC airplanes are contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-014, and are contained in engineering data for all other models (contact Fairchild); and

- Simmonds-Precision P/N DL5040M8 pitch trim actuators. Procedures and limitations to install these pitch trim actuators are contained in Fairchild Service Bulletin 227-27-045, Fairchild Service Bulletin 226-27-063, and Fairchild Service Bulletin CC7-27-013. All airplane models are eligible for this installation and airplane models vary by service bulletin.

These pitch trim actuators, when installed, would eliminate the need for the requirements of AD 98-19-15.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. One comment was received in favor of the NPRM and no comments were received on the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination
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.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 508 airplanes in the U.S. registry could have the affected pitch trim actuators installed and, therefore, could be affected by the AFM requirements of this AD. Since an owner/operator who holds at least a private pilot s certificate as authorized by sections 43.7 and 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7 and 43.9) may accomplish the AFM insertions, the only cost impact upon the public will be the approximately 30 minutes it will take each owner/operator to incorporate the information into the AFM.

The FAA has no way of determining the number of airplanes that have the design alternative pitch trim actuators installed, and will therefore not be affected by this AD.

Regulatory Impact
These regulations 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. Therefore, the FAA has determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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 theRegulatory 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, 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-19-15, Amendment 39-10794, and adding a new AD to read as follows:

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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-19-15, Amendment 39-10794, and adding a new AD to read as follows: