Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD 2018-0075, dated April 5, 2018 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
A fatal accident of an L 410 UVP-E20 aeroplane has been reported. Preliminary investigation determined that there was an annunciation of Beta mode on right hand engine, that the propeller went inadvertently behind the fine pitch position and reached a negative thrust position, and that the pitch lock system did not intervene.
This event occurred on approach at a speed and altitude which did not allow the crew to recover this control system malfunction.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to reduced control or loss of control of the aeroplane.
To address this unsafe condition, GE Aviation Czech issued the SB, providing modification instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires modification of the engine. Addressing the same unsafe condition at aeroplane level, EASA also issued AD 2018-0057, requiring modification of affected AI L 410 UVP-E20 and L 410 UVP-E20 CARGO aeroplanes, if equipped with GE Aviation H80-200 engines and Avia Propeller AV 725 propellers.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0723.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed GE Aviation Czech Service Bulletin (SB) SB-H80-76-00- 00-0036, Revision No. 02, dated March 29, 2018. The SB describes procedures for inspecting and adjusting engine push-pull control, part number (P/N) M601-76.3, and replacing beta switch, P/N P-S-2, with beta switch, P/N P-S-2A. 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.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by EASA, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the European Community, EASA has notified us of
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the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires adjusting the engine push-pull control and replacing the beta switch to prevent the propeller governor control going to a negative thrust position.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for priorpublic comment are unnecessary. In addition, for the reason stated above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2018- 0723 and Product Identifier 2018-NE-17-AD at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this final rule.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 0 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspection, adjustment of the engine 8 work-hours x $85 per $1,916 $2,596 $0
push-pull control, and replacement of hour = $680.
beta switch. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
We are 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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.