[Federal Register: April 21, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 76)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 20715-20717]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21ap05-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19522; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-36-AD;
Amendment 39-14064; AD 2005-08-12]
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 certain
[[Page 20716]]
CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. This AD requires you to replace non-
strengthened rudder pedals with reinforced rudder pedals. This AD
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by the airworthiness authority for France. We are issuing this
AD to replace the non-strengthened rudder pedals and to prevent failure
of the rudder controls. This failure could lead to loss of directional
control of the glider.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 6, 2005.
As of June 6, 2005, 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 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-2004-19522.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The Direction
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. The
DGAC reports finding previously undetected cracks or poorly repaired
cracks on several CENTRAIR 101 series gliders at the weld seam between
the hinge tube and the vertical tube of the rudder pedal. The rupture
of this weld could lead to failure of the rudder controls.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Failure of the
rudder controls could lead to loss of directional 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 certain CENTRAIR 101 series gliders.
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 13, 2004 (69 FR 72134). The NPRM
proposed to require you to replace non-strengthened rudder pedals with
reinforced rudder pedals.
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 56 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 rudder
pedal replacement. We have no way of determining the number of gliders
that may need this rudder pedal replacement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per
Labor cost per rudder pedal Parts cost glider
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4 workhours x $65 per hour = $162 (for each rudder $584
$260. pedal) x 2 = $324
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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
[[Page 20717]]
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-2004-19522; Directorate
Identifier 2004-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:
2005-08-12 Centrair: Amendment 39-14064; Docket No. FAA-2004-19522;
Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-36-AD.
When Does This AD Become Effective?
(a) This AD becomes effective on June 6, 2005.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Gliders Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects Models 101, 101A, 101AP, and 101P gliders,
serial numbers 101xx001 through 101xx285 and 101D0501 through
101D0530, certificated in any category.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France.
We are issuing this AD to replace the non-strengthened rudder
pedals, and prevent failure of the rudder controls. This failure
could lead to loss of directional control of the glider.
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) Replace any non- Within the next 25 Follow
strengthened rudder pedals hours time-in- Soci[eacute]t[eacut
with reinforced rudder service (TIS) after e] Nouvelle
pedals. June 6, 2005 (the Centrair Service
(i) the left-hand reinforced effective date of Bulletin No. 101-
rudder pedal is part number this AD), unless 24, dated March 5,
(P/N) $Y185A; and. already done. 2003 (this is the
(ii) the right-hand date of French AD
reinforced rudder pedal is 2003-095(a) that
P/N $Y196A. transmitted the
service bulletin).
(2) Do not install any non- As of June 6, 2005 Not Applicable.
strengthened rudder pedal (the effective date
as specified in paragraphs of this AD).
(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii) of
this AD.
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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, 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.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(g) French AD 2003-095(A), dated March 5, 2003, also addresses
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 Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle Centrair Service
Bulletin No. 101-24, dated March 5, 2003 (this is the date of French
AD 2003-095(a) that transmitted the service bulletin). 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
CENTRAIR, Aerodome B.P.N. 44, 36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone:
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. 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, DC 20590-0001 or on
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-
19522.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 12, 2005.
Nancy C. Lane,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7784 Filed 4-20-05; 8:45 am]
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