2007-13-14: Lower rudder support

2007-13-14 APEX Aircraft: Amendment 39-15118; Docket No. FAA-2007- 27530; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-019-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 3, 2007. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Model CAP 10 B airplanes, all serial numbers, that are: (1) Fitted with a rudder lower support, part number (P/N) CAP10- 30-08-01* or CAP230-30-08-01* (* with or without a letter at the reference end), as applicable, supplied by APEX Aircraft after January 1, 2001; and (2) Certificated in any category. Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55: Stabilizers. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: Two cases of rudder lower support with cracks have been reported, waiting for a technical solution, inspections are required. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after August 3, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), do inspection A using Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 040707, dated July 29, 2004. (2) Every 50 hours TIS after the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, do inspection B using Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 040707, dated July 29, 2004. (3) When a crack is detected as a result of any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, return the part to APEX Aviation using Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 040707, dated July 29, 2004, and install an airworthy part or incorporate the repair. Continued operation with any rudder lower support with cracks is prohibited. (4) Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, do not install a rudder lower support, P/N CAP10-30-08-01* or CAP230-30-08-01*, unless it is inspected and found to be crack free following the requirements of this AD.FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: The MCAI and service bulletin require inspection A before the next flight and inspection B every 25 flight hours. We consider before the next flight as an urgent safety of flight compliance time, and we do not consider this unsafe condition to be an urgent safety of flight condition. Because we do not consider this unsafe condition to be an urgent safety of flight condition, we issued this action through the normal notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) AD process followed by this final rule. The time of 50 hours TIS is an adequate compliance for this AD action and meets the FAA requirements of an NPRM followed by a final rule. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Staff, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; 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 the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI EASA AD No. F-2004-143, dated August 18, 2004; and Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 040707, dated July 29, 2004, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 040707, dated July 29, 2004, 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 Apex Aircraft, Bureau de Navigabilit[eacute], 1 route de Troyes, 21121 DAROIS--France, telephone: (33) 380 35 65 10; fax: (33) 380 35 65 15; e-mail: apex-aircraft.com. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html .