- Effective
- March 4, 1997
- Published
- January 28, 1997 · 62 FR 3994–3996
- Amendment
- 39-9902
- Docket
- 96-NM-76-AD
- Issued as
- Final rule
Unofficial copy from the Federal Register text, document 97-1480. Only the govinfo PDF is the legal edition.
Copies of the files this page was built from, with their SHA-256. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
| File | Size | SHA-256 | Original |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official PDF | 126 KB | fa1d6af1…5af20c8 | 97-1480.pdf on govinfo.gov |
| Federal Register text | 11 KB | bc080252…c9407b7 | 97-1480.txt on federalregister.gov |
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Summary
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all CASA Model CN-235 series airplanes, that requires repetitive eddy current inspections to detect fatigue cracks in the nose landing gear (NLG) turning tube, and replacement of cracked tubes. This amendment is prompted by a report of the failure of an NLG turning tube during landing roll; the failure was attributed to fatigue cracking in the turning tube. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure that fatigue cracking in the NLG turning tube is detected and corrected before it could cause the failure of the tube and, consequently, degrade the structural integrity of the NLG.
The airworthiness directive
97-02-17 CASA: Amendment 39-9902. Docket 96-NM-76-AD.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
PDF page 22. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Applicability: All Model CN-235 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent structural degradation of the nose landing gear (NLG) due to failure of the NLG turning tube, accomplish the following:
(a)
PDF page 2(a) At the applicable time specified in either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, conduct a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection to detect fatigue cracking in the NLG turning tube, in accordance with the procedures specified in Annex 1 and Annex 2 of CASA Maintenance Instructions COM 235-092, Revision 02, dated May 5, 1995.
(1) For Model CN-235 airplanes [Basic model; Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) = 31,746 lbs. (14,400 kgs.)]: Conduct the inspection prior to or upon the accumulation of 6,000 landings on the NLG turning tube, or within 50 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) For Model CN-235-100 series airplanes [MTOW = 33,290 lbs. (15,100 kgs.)] and Model CN-235-200 series airplanes [MTOW = 34,833 lbs. (15,800 kgs)]: Conduct the inspection prior to or upon the accumulation of 4,800 landings on the NLG turning tube, or within 50 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(b)
PDF page 2(b) If no cracking is detected during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 landings.
(c)
PDF page 2(c) If any cracking is detected during any inspection required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace the NLG turning tube with a new unit in accordance with CASA Maintenance Instructions COM 235-092, Revision 02, dated May 5, 1995. After replacement, repeat the HFEC inspection prior to or upon the accumulation of 6,000 landings on the new NLG turning tube installed on Model CN-325 airplanes (basic model); or prior to or upon the accumulation of 4,800 landings on the new NLG turning tube installed on Model CN-325-100 and -200 series airplanes. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 200 landings.
(d)
PDF page 2(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(e)
PDF page 2(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(f)
PDF page 2(f) The inspections and relacement shall be done in accordance with CASA Maintenance Instructions COM 235-092, Revision 02, dated May 5, 1995, which contains the specified list of effective pages:
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Revision level Page number shown on page Date shown on page ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/2, 2/2........................ 02................ May 5, 1995. Annex 1: 1-6.................... None.............. None. Annex 2: 1-3.................... None.............. None. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(g)
PDF page 2(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 4, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 15, 1997. S.R. Miller, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
Rule preamble
The FAA’s background, reasoning and cost estimate, published with the AD.
DatesPage 1
Effective March 4, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 4, 1997.
AddressesPage 1
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., Getafe, Madrid, Spain. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
For further information contactPage 1
Greg Dunn, Aerospace Engineer, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2799; fax (206) 227-1149.
Supplementary informationPage 1
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all CASA Model CN-235 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 23, 1996 (61 FR 54958). That action proposed to require repetitive eddy current inspections to detect fatigue cracking in the nose landing gear (NLG) turning tube. If any cracking is detected, the turning tube would be required to be replaced with a new unit prior to further flight.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
ConclusionPage 2
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Interim actionPage 2
This is considered interim action until final action is identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost impactPage 2
The FAA estimates that 1 CASA Model CN-235 series airplane of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory impactPage 2
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39Page 2
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Adoption of the AmendmentPage 2
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:
Adoption of the amendmentPage 2
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.