AD 2010-04-11

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

The manufacturer has advised that the combination of a redesigned tail spring support with a stiffer tail spring and rough field operations has led to cracks in the tail spring support mounting base. Cracks have also been reported on aeroplanes already compliant with Part II of Extra Service Bulletin No. SB-300-2-97 issue A, as mandated by the LBA AD D-1998-001, dated 15 January 1998.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

2010-04-11 Extra Flugzeugproduktions- und Vertriebs- GmbH: Amendment 39-16204; Docket No. FAA-2009-1025; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE- 055-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 30, 2010.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to the following model and serial number airplanes, certificated in any category:
(1) Model EA-300/200 airplanes, serial numbers (S/N) 01 through 31, and 1032 through 1043; and
(2) Model EA-300/L airplanes, S/N 01 through 170, 172, 173, 1171, and 1174 through 1299.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: Fuselage.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

The manufacturer has advised that the combination of a redesigned tail spring support with a stiffer tail spring and rough field operations has led to cracks in the tail spring support mounting base. Cracks have also been reported on aeroplanes already compliant with Part II of Extra Service Bulletin No. SB-300-2-97 issue A, as mandated by the LBA AD D-1998-001, dated 15 January 1998.
For the reasons stated above, this new AD mandates instructions for recurring inspections and modification in the area of the tail spring support in order to prevent separation of the tail landing gear which could result in serious damage to the airplane during landing.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Before further flight after March 30, 2010 (the effective date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours time-in-service, inspect the tail spring support for cracks in accordance with PART I of Extra Flugzeugproduktions- und Vertriebs- GmbH EXTRA Service Bulletin No. SB-300-2-97, Issue: C, dated September 24, 2009.
(2) If any crack is found as a result of the inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, modify the tail spring support structure as instructed in PART II of Extra Flugzeugproduktions- und Vertriebs- GmbH EXTRA Service Bulletin No. SB-300-2-97, Issue: C, dated September 24, 2009. Modification of the tail spring support structure terminates the repetitive inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(3) You may at any time modify the tail spring support structure as instructed in PART II of Extra Flugzeugproduktions- und Vertriebs- GmbH EXTRA Service Bulletin No. SB-300-2-97, Issue: C, dated September 24, 2009, to terminate the repetitive inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR39.19. Send information to ATTN: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved theinformation collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD No.: 2009- 0160, July 21, 2009 (corrected on July 28, 2009); and Extra Flugzeugproduktions- und Vertriebs- GmbH EXTRA Service Bulletin No. SB-300-2-97, Issue: C, dated September 24, 2009, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Extra Flugzeugproduktions- und Vertriebs- GmbH EXTRA Service Bulletin No. SB-300-2-97, Issue: C, dated September 24, 2009, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Extra Flugzeugproduktions- und Vertriebs- GmbH, Engineering Department/ Office of Airworthiness/Quality Assurance, Schwarze Heide 21, 46569 H nxe, Germany; Fax: +49 (0) 2858-9137-30; E-Mail: extraaircraft@extraaircraft.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http:// www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 3, 2009 (74 FR 56748). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

The manufacturer has advised that the combination of a redesigned tail spring support with a stiffer tail spring and rough field operations has led to cracks in the tail spring support mounting base. Cracks have also been reported on aeroplanes already compliant with Part II of Extra Service Bulletin No. SB-300-2-97 issue A, as mandated by the LBA AD D-1998-001, dated 15 January 1998.
For the reasons stated above, this new AD mandates instructions for recurring inspections and modification in the area of the tail spring support in order to prevent separation of the tail landing gear which could result in serious damage to theairplane during landing.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costsof Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 184 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $31,280 or $170 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would take about 20 work-hours and require parts costing $460, for a cost of $2,160 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that may need these actions.

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.

Regulatory Findings

We determined that 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'' underDOT 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of 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 AD: