AD 2000-03-18

Effective April 7, 2000.

You may examine related information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-37-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Mr. John P. Dow, Sr., Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4121; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

What caused this AD? This AD is the result of reports of in-flight incidents and an accident that occurred in icing conditions where the airframe pneumatic deicing boots were not activated.

What is the potential impact if the FAA took no action? The information necessary to activate the pneumatic wing and tail deicing boots at the first signs of ice accumulation is critical for flight in icing conditions. If we did not take action to include this information, flight crews could experience reduced controllability of the aircraft due to adverse aerodynamic effects of ice adhering to the airplane prior to the first deicing cycle.

Has the FAA taken any action to this point? Yes. 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 all Partenavia Models AP68TP 300 “Spartacus” and AP68TP 600 “Viator” airplanes that are equipped with pneumatic deicing boots. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 8, 1999 (64 FR 54808). The NPRM proposed to require revising the Limitations Section of the AFM to include requirements for activating the pneumatic deicing boots at the first indication of ice accumulation on the airplane.

Was the public invited to comment? Yes. Interested persons were afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

What is the FAA's Final Determination on this Issue?: We carefully reviewed all available information related to the subject presented above and determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We determined that these minor corrections:

—Will not change the meaning of the AD; and

—Will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

How many airplanes does this AD impact?: We estimate that 3 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected.

What is the cost impact of the affected airplanes on the U.S. Register?: There is no dollar cost impact. We estimate that to accomplish the AFM revision it will take you less than 1 workhour. You can accomplish this action if you hold at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7). You must make an entry into the aircraft records that shows compliance with this AD, in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). The only cost impact of this AD is the time it will take you to insert the information into the AFM.

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a “significant rule” under 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. The FAA has prepared a final evaluation and placed it in the Rules Docket. You can get a copy of this evaluation at the location listed under the caption ADDRESSES.

Accordingly, pursuant to 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: