AD 98-08-04

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all AERMACCHI S.p.A. Models S.208 and S.208A airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the landing gear rod springs to assure they are made with a wire diameter of 4.5 millimeters (mm), and replacing any that have a wire diameter of 4.0 mm. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the landing gear caused by an insufficient wire diameter of the rod springs, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations.

Final rule.

98-08-04 AERMACCHI S.p.A.: Amendment 39-10453; Docket No. 97-CE-140-AD.

Applicability: Models S.208 and S.208A airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

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 (d) 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 alreadyaccomplished.

To prevent failure of the landing gear caused by an insufficient wire diameter of the rod springs, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, inspect the landing gear rod springs to assure they are made with a wire diameter of 4.5 millimeters (mm). Accomplish this inspection in accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 205B59, dated July 29, 1995.

(b) If any landing gear rod springs are found to have a wire diameter of 4.0 mm, prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, replace these rod springs with rod springs that have a wire diameter of 4.5 mm. Accomplish this replacement in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.

(c) 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.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

(e) Questions or technical information related to SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 205B59, dated July 29, 1995, should be directed to SIAI Marchetti S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy; telephone: +39-331-929117; facsimile: +39-331-922525. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

(f) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 205B59, dated July 29, 1995. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from SIAI Marchetti S.p.A., Product Support Department, Via Indipendenza 2, 21018 Sesto Calende (VA), Italy. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on May 26, 1998.

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 all AERMACCHI S.p.A. Models S.208 and S.208A airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 2, 1998 (63 FR 5324). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the landing gear rod springs to assure they are made with a wire diameter of 4.5 millimeters (mm), and replacing any that have a wire diameter of 4.0 mm. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 205B59, dated July 29, 1995.

The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposed rule or 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 6 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 9 workhours per airplane to accomplish the action required by this AD, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $15 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,330, or $555 per airplane. This figure is based on the presumption that all of the affected airplanes will have landing gear rod springs with an incorrect diameter, and will require replacement of these rod springs.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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 the Regulatory 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, Incorporation by reference, 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 adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: