2022-20-10: Rudder Structure

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: 2022-20-10 Vulcanair S.p.A.: Amendment 39-22194; Docket No. FAA-2022-0813; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01316-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 28, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68, P.68B, P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 "Observer," P.68TC "Observer," P.68 "Observer 2," and P.68R airplanes, all serial numbers (S/Ns), certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5540, Rudder Structure. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as corrosion causing failure of the upper rudder hinge. The FAA is issuing this AD to address damage of the upper and lower rudder hinges. This condition, if not addressed, could result in interference with the rudder movement and lead to failure of the rudder, which could result in loss of control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Within 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first, inspect the upper and lower rudder hinges for looseness, corrosion, cracking, and damage in accordance with steps 1 through 4 of Vulcanair Aircraft Alert Service Letter No. 23, Revision 2, dated September 29, 2021. (1) If there is no looseness, no corrosion, no cracking, and no damage, do the actions in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD. (i) Remove the rudder by following the removal procedure for your airplane identified in table 1 to paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this AD. Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(1)(i) -Applicable Maintenance Manuals (MMs) for Rudder Removal Airplane model Vulcanair MM rudder removal procedure Airplane S/N P.68 and P.68B Paragraph 6.2, Removal and Installation of the Rudder, of Chapter 6-Vertical Empennage, of Section B, Structure, of the Vulcanair Aircraft A/C P68B Victor Maintenance Manual, NOR.10.709-9, Revision 16, dated September 22, 2017 All S/Ns. P.68R Paragraph 6.2, Removal and Installation of the Rudder, of Chapter 6-Vertical Empennage, of Section B, Structure, of the Vulcanair Aircraft A/C P68B Victor Maintenance Manual, NOR.10.709-9, Revision 16, dated September 22, 2017 S/N 40 and S/N 430. Paragraph 3.2.13, Removal of Rudder, of Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68R Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-3, Revision 12, dated December 12, 2019 S/N 453 and larger. P.68C Paragraph 5.10, Removal of the Rudder, of Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68C Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-1B, Revision 9, dated August 30, 2017 S/N up to and including S/N 460. Paragraph 3.2.13, Removal of Rudder, of Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68C & P.68C-TC Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-1, Revision 7, dated May 11, 2021 S/N 462 and larger. P.68C-TC Paragraph 5.10, Removal of the Rudder, of Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68C Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-1B, Revision 9, dated August 30, 2017 S/N up to and including S/N 392. Paragraph 3.2.13, Removal of Rudder, of Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68C & P.68C-TC Maintenance Manual AMM10.702-1, Revision 7, dated May 11, 2021 S/N 467 and larger. P.68 Observer Paragraph 5.10, Removal of the Rudder, of Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68C Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-1B, Revision 9, dated August 30, 2017 All S/Ns. P.68 Observer 2 Paragraph 5.10, Removal of Rudder, of Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68 Observer 2 Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-10, Revision 5, dated October 23, 2017 S/N up to and including S/N 451. Paragraph 3.2.13, Removal of Rudder, of Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68 Observer 2 & P.68TC Observer Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-2, Revision 8, dated November 11, 2021 S/N 465 and larger. P.68TC Observer Paragraph 5.10, Removal of the Rudder, of Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68C Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-1B, Revision 9, dated August 30, 2017 S/N up to and including S/N 394. Paragraph 5.10, Removal of Rudder, of Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68-TC Observer Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-4A, Revision 4, dated March 15, 2018 S/N 400 up to and including S/N 461. Paragraph 3.2.13, Removal of Rudder, of Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68 Observer 2 & P.68TC Observer Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-2, Revision 8, dated November 11, 2021 S/N 481 and larger. (ii) Perform a dye penetrant inspection of the hinges, paying particular attention to the pivot/attachment holes, using a dye penetrant solution for manual non-destructive testing using the following: (A) Penetrant System: TYPE II (Visible Dye); (B) METHOD C (Solvent Removable); (C) Developer: FORM D (Non-aqueous); or (D) Solvent Remover: CLASS 1 (Halogenated). (2) If there is any looseness, corrosion, cracking, or damage, replace the hinge before further flight. (h) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits are prohibited. (i) 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 (j)(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. (j) Additional Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact John DeLuca, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7369; email: john.p.deluca@faa.gov. (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0267, dated November 24, 2021, for more information. You may view the EASA AD at regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2022-0813. (k) 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 Aircraft Alert Service Letter No. 23, Revision 2, dated September 29, 2021. (ii) Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68C & P.68C-TC Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-1, Revision 7, dated May 11, 2021. (iii) Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68 Observer 2 & P.68TC Observer Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-2, Revision 8, dated November 11, 2021. (iv) Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68R Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-3, Revision 12, dated December 12, 2019. (v) Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68C Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-1B, Revision 9, dated August 30, 2017. (vi) Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68-TC Observer Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-4A, Revision 4, dated March 15, 2018. (vii) Section B, Structure, of the Vulcanair Aircraft A/C P68B Victor Maintenance Manual, NOR.10.709-9, Revision 16, dated September 22, 2017. (viii) Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68 Observer 2 Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-10, Revision 5, dated October 23, 2017. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Vulcanair S.p.A., Fulvio Oloferni, via Giovanni Pascoli, 7, 80026 Naples, Italy; phone: +39 081 5918 135; email: airworthiness@vulcanair.com; website: 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on September 19, 2022. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-22703 Filed 10-21-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P