AD 98-08-06

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to AERMACCHI S.p.A. S.205 series and Models S.208 and S.208A airplanes. This AD requires inspecting all flight control cables (elevator control, aileron control, rudder, flaps, nose gear steering, parking brake, safety belts, and autopilot systems) for cracks in the eye end, and replacing any control cable with any crack in the eye end. 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 loss of critical airplane functions because of cracked flight control cables, which could result in loss of control of the airplane if occurring during flight.

Final rule.

98-08-06 AERMACCHI S.p.A.: Amendment 39-10455; Docket No. 97-CE-144-AD.

Applicability: Models S.205-18/F, S.205-18/R, S.205-20/F, S.205-20/R, S.205-22/R, 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 (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.

To prevent loss of critical airplane functions because of cracked flight control cables, which could result in loss of control of the airplane if occurring during flight, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, inspect all flight control cables (elevator control, aileron control, rudder, flaps, nose gear steering, parking brake, safety belts, and autopilot systems) for cracks in the eye end. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with SIAI Marchetti, S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B58.

(b) If any cracked flight control cable is found, prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, replace the cracked cable with a new cable of the same design that is found to be free of cracks in the eye end. The replacement(s) shall be accomplished in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.

(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a flight control cable on an affected airplane, unless the cable has been found to be free of cracks in the eye end.

(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 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.

(f) Questions or technical information related to SIAI Marchetti, S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B58, 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.

(g) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in accordance with SIAI Marchetti, S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B58. 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.

(h) 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 AERMACCHI S.p.A. S.205 series and 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 5318). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting all flight control cables (elevator control, aileron control, rudder, flaps, nose gear steering, parking brake, safety belts, and autopilot systems) for cracks in the eye end, and replacing any control cable with any crack in the eye end. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with SIAI Marchetti S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 205B58, not dated.

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 70 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 workhours per airplane to accomplish the actions required by this AD, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $100 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $91,000, or $1,300 per airplane.

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: