2021-26-15: Stabilizer Control System

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2021-26-15 Vulcanair S.p.A.: Amendment 39-21874; Docket No. FAA-2021-0871; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01581-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 15, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. (Vulcanair) Model P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 "OBSERVER," P.68 OBSERVER 2, P.68R, and P.68TC OBSERVER airplanes, serial numbers 333, 337 to 339 inclusive, 378, 379, and 383 and larger (except serial numbers 387 and 398), certificated in any category, with a stabilator trim control cable part number 5.6067-1, 5.6161-1, 5.6171-1, 5.6231-2, or 5.6231-4 installed. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2740, Stabilizer Control System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a damaged stabilator trim control cable connected to the stabilator trim actuator assembly, mounted on fuselage frame No. 16. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address failure of a stabilator trim control cable, which could prevent trim surface control thereby leaving the cable remaining in the last position. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Before a stabilator trim control cable part number 5.6067-1, 5.6161-1, 5.6171-1, 5.6231-2, or 5.6231-4 accumulates more than 400 hours time-in-service (TIS) since first installation on an airplane or within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, visually inspect the stabilator trim control cable for broken wires and replace the stabilator trim control cable before further flight if there is broken wire in a strand in accordance with steps 1 through 22 of Part 2 Work Procedure in Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 263, dated October 20, 2020. (h) Reporting Within 14 days after the initial inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD or within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, report the results of the initial inspection to Vulcanair at continued.airworthiness@vulcanaair.com or at the address in paragraph (l)(3) of this AD. Thereafter, report the inspection results within 14 days after each inspection. Each report must include the following information: (1) Owner/operator name, mailing address, phone number, and email address; (2) Airplane model, serial number, and registration number; (3) Airplane hours TIS at the time of the inspection; (4) Stabilator trim control cable hours TIS at the time of the inspection; (5) Date of the inspection; (6) Inspection result (positive or negative); and (7) A description of any non-conformity (damage). (i) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits are prohibited. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD and email to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (k) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Gregory Johnson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Section, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (720) 626-5462; email: gregory.johnson@faa.gov. (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0262, dated November 30, 2020, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0871. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 263, dated October 20, 2020. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Vulcanair S.p.A., Fulvio Oloferni, via Giovanni Pascoli, 7, Naples, 80026, Italy; phone: +39 081 5918 135; email: airworthiness@vulcanair.com; website: www.vulcanair.com. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on December 10, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-00056 Filed 1-10-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P