Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The Department of Civil Aviation, Malaysia (DCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Malaysia, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Eagle Aircraft Sdn. Bhd. Model Eagle 150B airplanes. The DCA reports two incidents of the co-pilot rudder pedal assembly, part number (P/N) 2720D07-02, binding and becoming inoperable during flight.
Investigation revealed that the two incidents resulted from premature wear of the bushing, P/N 2720D08-39, in the co-pilot rudder pedal assembly. Premature wear of the bushing allowed it to slide of out the housing resulting in excessive play between the co-pilot rudder pedal assembly and the shaft. That condition caused the co-pilot rudder control pushrod pivot, P/N 2720D08-31/04, to bind with the co-pilot pivot arms, P/N 2720D08-42.
Stronger material is used now to manufacture the bushing and it has also been improved by including side stoppers.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not corrected, binding of the co-pilot rudder pedal assembly could result in loss of co-pilot rudder and brake control. This failure could result in loss of control of the airplane.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Eagle Aircraft (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. Model Eagle 150B airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on January 12, 2005 (70 FR 2070). The NPRM proposed to require you to modify or replace the co-pilot rudder pedal assembly.
Comments
Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
What is FAA's final determination on thisissue? We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.
Costs of Compliance
Howmany airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD affects 13 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the modification:
Labor hours
Parts cost
Total cost per airplane
4 work hours x $65 per hour = $260. Eagle Aircraft has agreed to reimburse for the cost of labor.
Eagle Aircraft has agreed to provide the parts without cost.
Not applicable.
We estimate the following costs to accomplish the replacements:
Labor hours
Parts cost
Total cost per airplane
3 work hours x $65 per hour = $195
$1,440
$1,635
Authority for This Rulemaking
What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 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 inmore 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 AD.
Regulatory Findings
Will this AD impact various entities? We have 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.
Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include "Docket No. FAA-2004-19897; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-45-AD" in your request.
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 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows: