AD 2012-03-51

This AD is effective March 2, 2012 to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2012-03-51, issued on February 6, 2012, which contained the requirements of this amendment.

We must receive comments on this AD by April 2, 2012.

You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Fax: 202-493-2251.

• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Roger Caldwell, Aerospace Engineer, Denver Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 26805 East 68th Avenue, Denver, CO 80249; phone: 303-342-1086; fax: 303-342-1088; e-mail: roger.caldwell@faa.gov.

On February 6, 2012, we issued Emergency AD 2012-03-51, which requires cleaning of the forward lower spar cap between wing stations 40 and 84.5 (right and left), and doing a detailed inspection for cracks, working fasteners, and other anomalies, including surface damage in the form of a nick, gouge, or corrosion; and repairing if necessary. That AD also requires sending inspection results (both positive and negative) to the FAA. This AD was prompted by a report of a significant crack in the principle wing structure on a Neptune Aviation Service, Inc. Model SP-2H (P2V-7) airplane. A crack approximately 24 inches long was found in the left side wing front spar and lower skin just outboard of the fuselage side of wing station 40. The crack propagated through the wing front spar web, lower chord, and wing lower skin through stringer No. 22 and aft to stringer No. 21. The cause of the cracking is unknown at this time. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in significant loss of structural integrity of the wing.

We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

This AD requires cleaning of the forward lower spar cap between wing stations 40 and 84.5 (right and left), and doing a detailed inspection for cracks, working fasteners, and other anomalies, including surface damage in the form of a nick, gouge, or corrosion; and repairing if necessary. This AD also requires sending inspection results (both positive and negative) to the FAA.

We consider this AD interim action. If final action is later identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of a report of a significant crack in the principle wing structure on a Neptune Aviation Service, Inc. Model SP-2H (P2V-7) airplane. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in significant loss of structural integrity of the wing. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2012-0107 and Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-018-AD at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this AD.

We estimate that this AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

No definitive data are available for repair costs at this time.

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 in more 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 rulemaking action.

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.

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 DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) 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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):