[Federal Register: August 18, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 159)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 51206-51208]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18au04-20]
[[Page 51206]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-67-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Ostmecklenburgische Flugzeugbau GmbH
Model OMF-100-160 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Ostmecklenburgische Flugzeugbau GmbH (OMF) Model OMF-100-
160 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the
outside tube (cage) that supports the main landing gear leg for cracks,
repair if cracks are found, and inspect the thickness of the tube if no
cracks were found and reinforce the tube as necessary. This proposed AD
is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this
proposed AD to detect, correct, and prevent future cracks in the
outside tube of the main landing gear leg, which could result in
structural failure of the fuselage tubing assembly. This failure could
lead to loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by September
22, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed
AD:
By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-67-AD, 901 Locust, Room
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
By fax: (816) 329-3771.
By e-mail: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov. Comments sent
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-67-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.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Ostmecklenburgische Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flughafenstra[azlig]e, 17039
Trollenhagen, Federal Republic of Germany.
You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-67-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,
ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri, 64106; telephone: 816-329-4146; facsimile: 816-329-4149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal.
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD
Docket No. 2003-CE-67-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you
want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-
addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We
will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you.
Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
(LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain OMF
Model OMF-100-160 airplanes. The LBA reports that the manufacturer
received a report of cracks in the outside fuselage tube that supports
the main landing gear leg. Further investigation revealed that one
manufacturer of fuselage tubes used out-of-design dimensions for the
tube elements.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Cracks
in the outside tube of the main landing gear leg, if not detected,
corrected, and prevented, could result in structural failure of the
fuselage tubing assembly. This failure could lead to loss of control of
the airplane.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? OMF has
issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 1107/0002, dated September 16, 2003.
What are the provisions of this service information? The service
bulletin includes procedures for:
--Inspecting the tubing that supports the main landing gear leg;
--Inspecting the tube thickness and reinforcing the tube as necessary;
and
--Obtaining repair instructions if cracks are found.
What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued German AD Number 2003-272, dated
October 17, 2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Germany.
Did the LBA inform the United States under the bilateral
airworthiness agreement? These OMF Model OMF-100-160 airplanes are
manufactured in Germany and are type-certificated for operation in the
United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral
airworthiness agreement.
Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us
informed of the situation described above.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? We have examined the LBA's findings, reviewed
all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary
for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in
the United States.
Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other OMF airplanes of the same type design that are
registered in the United States, we are proposing AD action to detect,
correct, and prevent future cracks in the outside tube of the main
landing gear leg. These cracks could result in structural failure of
the fuselage tubing assembly and lead to loss of control of the
airplane.
What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service
bulletin.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On
July 10, 2002, we 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 altered products, special flight
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. 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.
[[Page 51207]]
Costs of Compliance
How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that
this proposed AD affects 11 airplanes on 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 these proposed inspections:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per on U.S.
airplane operators
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Inspection for cracks--2 N/A $130 $1,430
workhours est. $65 per hour =
$130.........................
Inspection for inadequate N/A 130 (1)
thickness of tubing that
supports the main landing
gear leg--2 workhours est.
$65 the per hour = $130......
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\1\ OMF will cover the cost for special inspection.
We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary repairs
that would be required based on the results of these proposed
inspections. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that
may need this repair:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per airplane
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85 workhours X $65 per hour = None per $5,525
$5,525. manufacturer.
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Regulatory Findings
Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-67-AD'' in your request.
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 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Ostmecklenburgische Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. 2003-CE-67-AD
When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?
(a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness
directive (AD) by September 22, 2004.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects Model OMF-100-160 airplanes, serial numbers
0006, 0007, 0012 through 0015, 0017, 0018, 0020, 0021, 0024, 0025,
0028, and 0029; that are certificated in any category.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of cracks in the fuselage tubing
assembly and inadequate thickness of tubing that supports the main
landing gear leg. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
detect, correct, and prevent future cracks in the tubing for the
main landing gear leg, which could result in failure of the fuselage
tubing assembly. This failure could lead to loss of control of the
airplane.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect the main landing Inspect the Inspect following
gear leg support for cracks airplane within the procedures in
50 hours time-in- OMF Alert Service
service (TIS) Bulletin No. 1107/
after the 0002, dated
effective date of September 16,
this AD. 2003.
(2) If cracks are found during Repair prior to Contact an
any inspection required in further flight Ostmecklengurgisc
paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(3)(ii) after the he Flugzeugbau
of this AD, obtain repair inspection where GmbH (OMF)
instructions from the cracks are found. representative at
manufacturer through the FAA 1-819-377-1177
and incorporate the repair for repair
instructions. This repair instructions and
eliminates the repetitive incorporate these
inspection requirement of this instructions.
AD Summarize and
copy all
correspondence
and send to FAA
at the address
specified in
paragraph (f) of
this AD.
[[Page 51208]]
(3) If no cracks are found Inspect for tubing Inspect following
during the inspection required thickness of the procedures in OMF
in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, airplane within Alert Service
do the following: 50 hours TIS Bulletin No. 1107/
after the initial 0002, dated
inspection September 16,
required in 2003. Reinforce
paragraph (e)(1) with instructions
of this AD. from the
Reinforce prior manufacturer.
to further flight Contact an
after the Ostmecklengurgisc
inspection he Flugzeugbau
required in GmbH (OMF)
paragraph representative at
(e)(3)(i)of this 1-819-377-1177
AD. Repetitively for repair
inspect main instructions and
landing gear leg incorporate these
support within 50 instructions.
hours TIS after Summarize and
the initial copy all
inspection correspondence
required by and send to FAA
paragraph (e)(1) at the address
of this AD and specified in
thereafter at paragraph (f) of
intervals not to this AD.
exceed 50 hours
TIS.
(i) inspect tubing for
proper thickness and make
any appropriate
reinforcements
(ii) repetitively inspect
main landing gear leg
support for cracks
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May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?
(f) You may request a different method of compliance or a
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved
alternative methods of compliance, contact Karl Schletzbaum,
Aerospace Engineer, ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106; telephone: 816-329-4146;
facsimile: 816-329-4149.
May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?
(g) You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD
from Ostmecklenburgische Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flughafenstra[szlig]e,
17039 Trollenhagen, Federal Republic of Germany. You may view these
documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(h) LBA Airworthiness Directive No. 2003-272, dated October 7,
2003, and OMF Alert Service Bulletin 1107/0002, dated September 16,
2003, pertain to the subject of this AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 11, 2004.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-18927 Filed 8-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P