[Federal Register: May 2, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 85)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 23427-23430]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02my03-20]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-14-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Models EA-300/
200, EA-300L, and EA-300S Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to all EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH (EXTRA) Models EA-
300/200, EA-300L, and EA-300S airplanes. This proposed AD would require
you to inspect the fuel selector valve for leakage and the wing for
structural damage and correct any damage or leakage. This proposed AD
is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions
specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect and correct fuel
leakage in the wings, which could lead to structural damage of the
wings and possible reduced structural margins. Reduced structural
margins could lead to eventual structural failure.
DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any
[[Page 23428]]
comments on this proposed rule on or before June 9, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-14-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments
electronically to the following address: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov.
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-14-AD''
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for
Windows or ASCII text.
You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD
from EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, D-46569 H[uuml]nxe,
Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: (0 28 58) 91 37-00; facsimile:
(0 28 58) 91 37-30. You may also view this information at the Rules
Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this proposed AD? The FAA invites comments on
this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or
arguments you choose. You need to include the proposed rule's docket
number and submit your comments to the address specified under the
caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before
the closing date. We may amend this proposed rule in light of comments
received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions
is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking
action.
Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may
view all comments we receive before and after the closing date of the
rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket
that summarizes each contact we have with the public that concerns the
substantive parts of this proposed AD.
How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want FAA to
acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, you must include a
self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to
Docket No. 2003-CE-14-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard
back to you.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
(LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently
notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all EXTRA Models EA-
300/200, EA-300L, and EA-300S airplanes. The LBA reports several
occurrences where the fuel selector valve did not operate correctly.
When the wing tanks are selected, the acro/center tank is not
completely shut-off. The result is fuel draining into the wing tanks
that must be empty for acrobatics. This failure of the fuel selector
valve to correctly operate is caused by the deterioration of the ``O''-
rings in the valve.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected?
Acrobatic operation with fuel in the wings could lead to structural
damage of the wings and possibly reduced structural margins. Reduced
structural margins could lead to eventual structural failure.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? EXTRA
has issued Service Letter No. 300-09-02, Issue: A, dated September 19,
2002, which includes procedures for inspecting the fuel selector valve
for leakage.
What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued German AD Number AD 2002-48, dated
January 9, 2003, in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in Germany.
Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement?
These airplane models are manufactured in Germany and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has
kept FAA informed of the situation described above.
The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of this
Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? The FAA has examined the findings of the LBA;
reviewed all available information, including the service information
referenced above; and determined that:
--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could
develop on other Models EA-300/200, EA-300L, and EA-300S airplanes of
the same type design that are on the U.S. registry;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.
What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require
you to inspect the fuel selector valve for leakage and the wing for
structural damage and correct any damage or leakage.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On
July 10, 2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation
now includes material that relates to special flight permits,
alternative methods of compliance, and altered products. This material
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD
actions.
Cost Impact
How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that
this proposed AD affects 184 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to
accomplish this proposed inspection of the fuel selector valve:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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4 workhours x $60 per hour = $240 Not applicable........... $240 $240 x 184 = $44,160.
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[[Page 23429]]
We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary valve
repair that would be required based on the results of this proposed
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that
may need such repair:
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Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplane
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5 workhours x $60 per hour = $300.............. $122.50 $422.50.
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We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed external
inspection of the wings:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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1 workhour x $60 per hour = $60.. Not Applicable........... $60 $60 x 184 = $11,040.
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We are unable to estimate the costs to accomplish any necessary
wing repair that would be required based on the results of this
proposed inspection. EXTRA will evaluate the damage of each affected
airplane and develop an appropriate repair scheme.
Regulatory Impact
Would this proposed AD impact various entities? The regulations
proposed herein would 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
proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive
Order 13132.
Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
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) if
promulgated, 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 copy of the draft regulatory
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules
Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at
the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. 2003-CE-14-AD
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects all
Models EA-300/200, EA-300L, and EA-300S airplanes, all serial
numbers, that are certificated in any category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must
comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to detect and correct fuel leakage in the
wings, which could lead to structural damage of the wings and
possible reduced structural margins. Reduced structural margins
could lead to eventual structural failure.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) For all affected airplanes, Within the next In accordance with
inspect the fuel selector valve 100 hours time-in- EXTRA Flugzeugbau
for leakage. Do not use service (TIS) GmbH Service
compressed gas to check the after the Letter No. 300-09-
valve since it is possible that effective date of 02, Issue: A,
use of compressed gas will this AD, unless dated September
damage or dislodge the valve already 19, 2002, and the
``O''-rings. Refer to the accomplished. applicable
caution on page 1 of the airplane
service letter. maintenance
manual.
(2) For all affected airplanes, Prior to further In accordance with
if any leakage is found during flight after the the applicable
the inspection required by this inspection airplane
AD, repair the damage. required in maintenance
paragraph (d)(1) manual.
of this AD,
unless already
accomplished.
(3) For all affected airplanes, Within the next In accordance with
inspect the external wing for 100 hours time-in- the applicable
structural damage:. service (TIS) airplane
after the maintenance
effective date of manual.
this AD, unless
already
accomplished.
(i) Cracks......................
(ii) Delamination...............
(iii) Fuel leakage..............
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(4) For all affected airplanes, Prior to further In accordancae
if any cracks, delamination, or flight after the with a repair
fuel leakage is found during inspection scheme obtained
the inspection required by this required in from EXTRA
AD, accomplish the following: paragraph (d)(3) Flugzeugbau GmbH,
of this AD, Flugplatz
unless already Dinslaken, D-
accomplished. 46569 H[uuml]nxe,
Federal Republic
of Germany;
telephone: (0 28
58) 91 37-00;
facsimile: (0 28
58) 91 37-30.
Obtain this
repair scheme
through the FAA
at the address
specified in
paragraph (e) of
this AD.
(i) obtain a repair scheme from
the manufacturer;
(ii) incorporate this repair
scheme; and
(iii) accomplish any follow-up
actions as directed by the FAA.
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(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time,
follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the
Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate. For
information on any already approved alternative methods of
compliance, contact Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
(f) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD?
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from EXTRA
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, D-46569 H[uuml]nxe, Federal
Republic of Germany; telephone: (0 28 58) 91 37-00; facsimile: (0 28
58) 91 37-30. You may view these documents at FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106.
Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 2002-48,
dated January 9, 2003.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 25, 2003.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-10846 Filed 5-1-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P