FR Doc 05-22872

[Federal Register: November 18, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 222)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 69895-69896]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18no05-3]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21951; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD;
Amendment 39-14381; AD 2005-24-01]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; CENTRAIR 101 Series Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. This AD requires you to make pen and ink
changes to the Limitations Section of the glider maintenance manual to
eliminate contradictory information concerning the structural life
limit. This AD results from a review by FAA of the Limitations Section
of the CENTRAIR Model 101AP glider maintenance manual that revealed
conflicting information concerning the structural life limit. We are
issuing this AD to assure that the published life limit is adhered to
and to prevent structural failure of the glider once this life limit is
reached.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 3, 2006.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD,
contact CENTRAIR, Aerodome B.P.N. 44, 36300 Le Blanc, France;
telephone: 02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64.
To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
The docket number is FAA-2005-21951; Directorate

Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What events have caused this AD? A review by FAA of the Limitations
Section of the CENTRAIR Model 101AP glider maintenance manual revealed
conflicting information concerning the structural life limit. Page 5.1
of this manual specifies inspection criteria upon accumulating 3,000
hour time-in-service (TIS). However, page 5.01 of the manual identifies
a structural life limit of 3,000-hour TIS. CENTRAIR has verified that
all the 101 series gliders delivered to the United States have a 3,000-
hour life limit with no current extension.
Cumulative fatigue damage and fatigue cracking damage would
sufficiently reduce residual strength of the airframe and result in
failure of the airframe.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If this
situation is not corrected, the published life limit may not be adhered
to and the structural integrity of the glider could be compromised.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? 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 CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. This
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on August 22, 2005 (70 FR 48918). The NPRM proposed
to require you to make pen and ink changes to the Limitations Section
of the glider maintenance manual to eliminate contradictory information
concerning the structural life limit.

Comments

Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the
public.

Conclusion

What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for
correcting the unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10,
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997,
July 22, 2002), which governs the 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.

Costs of Compliance

How many gliders does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 51 gliders in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the
affected gliders? We estimate the following costs to do this change of
the maintenance manual:

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Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost glider U.S. operators
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1 work hour x $65 = $65.................... Not Applicable..................... $65 $3,315
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[[Page 69896]]

Authority for This Rulemaking

What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action?
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 AD.

Regulatory Findings

Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that 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.
Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 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 AD (and
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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 ``Docket
No. FAA-2005-21951; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD'' in your
request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under 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:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2005-24-01 CENTRAIR: Amendment 39-14381; Docket No. FAA-2005-21951;
Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

(a) This AD becomes effective on January 3, 2006.

What Other ADs Are Affected By This Action?

(b) None.

What Gliders Are Affected by This AD?

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

(d) This AD is the result of a review by FAA of the Limitations
Section of the CENTRAIR Model 101AP glider maintenance manual that
revealed conflicting information concerning the structural life
limit. The actions specified in this AD are intended to assure that
the published life limit is adhered to and to prevent structural
failure of the glider once this life limit is reached.

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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Using pen and ink, change Within the next 30 The owner/operator
Section 5.1 of the days after January holding at least a
Limitations Section of the 3, 2006 (the private pilot
CENTRAIR Gliders CENTRAIR effective date of certificate as
101--101 P-101 A-101 AP this AD). authorized by
Maintenance Manual under section 43.7 of the
``General Inspection,'' to Federal Aviation
read, ``The general Regulations (14 CFR
inspection should be 43.7) may modify
executed every 5 years the maintenance
until the 3,000-hour time- manual as specified
in-service structural life in paragraph (e) of
limit is met.'' The above this AD. Make an
change enforces the 3,000- entry into the
hour structural life limit aircraft records
set out in page 5.01--Life showing compliance
Limits of the maintenance with this portion
manual. of the AD following
section 43.9 of the
Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR
43.9).
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Note: Section 5.0 of the Limitations Section of the CENTRAIR
Gliders CENTRAIR 101--101 P-101 A-101 AP Maintenance Manual, date of
approval, December 16, 1983, references 14 CFR 91.163. The Code of
Federal Regulations has changed. The correct reference is Sec.
91.403.

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 Greg Davison, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile:
(816) 329-4090.

May I Get Copies of the Document Referenced in This AD?

(g) You may obtain the service information referenced in this AD
from CENTRAIR, Aerodome B.P.N. 44, 36300 Le Blanc, France;
telephone: 02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. To view the AD
docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-
401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
The docket number is FAA-2005-21951; Directorate

Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 10, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-22872 Filed 11-17-05; 8:45 am]

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