FR Doc 05-23896

[Federal Register: December 20, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 243)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 75390-75392]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20de05-5]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21836; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-36-AD;
Amendment 39-14415; AD 2005-25-22]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-
Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz''
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
Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko''
Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' gliders. This AD requires you to perform a
visual inspection of the turnbuckle link for cracks or wear and replace
if cracks or wear is found. This action only applies to those gliders
where the turnbuckle is directly connected to the pedal. This AD
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by the airworthiness authority for Poland. We are issuing this
AD to detect and correct cracks in the turnbuckle link, which could
result in failure of the rudder cable. This failure could lead to loss
of control of the glider.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 27, 2006.
As of January 27, 2006, the Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD,
contact Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o., ul.Ciexzynska 325, 43-300
Bielsko-Biala, Poland; telephone: 43 33 812 50 26; facsimile: 48 33 812
37 39; Web site: http://www.szd.com.pl.

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-2005-21836; Directorate

Identifier 2005-CE-36-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer,
ACE-112, Small Airplane 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? The Civil Aviation Office, which
is the airworthiness authority for Poland, recently notified FAA that
an unsafe condition may exist on all Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-
Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz''
gliders. The Civil Aviation Office reports a broken turnbuckle on a
glider performing rudder operations in flight. Specifically, material
fatigue caused the end of the turnbuckle that connects the rudder cable
with rear seat, right-side pedal to break. Occupants, because of glider
design, may have stepped on the rudder cable while entering or exiting
the glider, putting stress on the turnbuckle link. This may have
contributed to the material fatigue.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Cracks or wear
in the turnbuckle link could result in failure of the rudder cable.
This failure could lead to loss of control of the glider.
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 ``PZL-Bielsko'' Model SZD-50-3
``Puchacz'' gliders. This proposal was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 10, 2005
(70 FR 46439). The NPRM proposed to detect and correct cracks in the
turnbuckle link that could result in failure of the rudder cable. This
failure could lead to loss of control of the glider.

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 8 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
inspection:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost
Labor cost Total cost on U.S.
per glider operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $65 = $65...................... $65 $520
------------------------------------------------------------------------

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of this inspection. We have
no way of determining the number of gliders that may need this repair/
replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per glider
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $65 = $65...................... $20 $85
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 75391]]

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-2005-21836; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-36-AD'' in your
request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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:

2005-25-22 Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa
``PZL-Bielsko'': Amendment 39-14415; Docket No. FAA-2005-21836;
Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-36-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

(a) This AD becomes effective on January 27, 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 turnbuckle link breaking in
flight. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and
correct cracks in the turnbuckle link, which could result in failure
of the rudder cable. This failure could lead to loss of control of
the glider.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

(e) To address this problem, you must do the following on
gliders where the turnbuckle is directly connected to the pedal:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Visually inspect the Initially within 25 Follow Allstar PZL
turnbuckle end for cracks hours time-in- Glider Ltd.
or wear. Use a 10X service (TIS) after Bulletin No. BE-054/
magnifying glass. The January 27, 2006 SZD-50-3/2003
magnifying power in this AD (the effective date ``Puchacz,'' as
takes precedence over the of this AD), and approved by Civil
magnifying power stated in repetitively Aviation Office
Allstar PZL Glider Ltd. thereafter at Airworthiness
Bulletin No. BE-054/SZD-50- intervals not to Directive No. SP-
3/2003 ``Puchacz.'' exceed 50 hours TIS. 0012-2004-A, dated
Inspection is not required February 5, 2004.
on gliders where additional
short cables between the
rear seat pedal and
turnbuckle have been
installed.
(2) If cracks or wear is Prior to further Follow the
found during any inspection light after the procedures in the
required by this AD, inspection where maintenance manual.
replace the turnbuckle end. cracks or wear is
The turnbuckle must have a found.
steel end and support a
maximum load of 6,100
newtons (converts to 1,371
pounds of force), following
Allstar PZL Glider Ltd.
Bulletin No. BE-054/SZD-50-
3/2003 ``Puchacz.''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Gregory Davison,
Aerospace Engineer, ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130;
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

(g) Allstar PZL Glider Ltd. Bulletin No. BE-054/SZD-50-3/2003
``Puchacz'' and Civil Aviation Office Airworthiness Directive No.
SP-0012-2004-A, dated February 5, 2004, also address the subject of
this AD.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

(h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the
instructions in Allstar PZL Glider Ltd. Bulletin No. BE-054/SZD-50-
3/2003 ``Puchacz,'' as approved by Civil Aviation Office
Airworthiness Directive No. SP-0012-2004-A, dated February 5, 2004.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get a copy of this service information,
contact Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o., ul.Ciexzynska 325, 43-300
Bielsko-Biala, Poland; telephone: 43 33 812 50 26; facsimile: 48 33
812 37 39; Web site: http://www.szd.com.pl. To review copies of this

service information, go to the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
or call (202)

741-6030. 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,

[[Page 75392]]

DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket

number is FAA-2005-21836; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-36-AD.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 5, 2005.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-23896 Filed 12-19-05; 8:45 am]

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