[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 192 (Thursday, October 4, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56700-56701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19619]
[[Page 56700]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28980; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-071-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aircraft Industries, a.s. (Type
Certificate No. G24EU Formerly Held by LETECK[Eacute] Z[Aacute]VODY
a.s. and LET Aeronautical Works) Model L-13 Blanik Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by the discovery
of cracks on L13 BLANIK sailplanes in zones where the forward and
aft control sticks are attached to the connecting rod, designated as
``control bridge'' in the relevant Illustrated Parts Catalogues
(IPC). If left uncorrected, cracks could propagate and lead to
failure of the connecting rod with subsequent loss of control of the
sailplane.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 5,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
28980; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-071-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD
No.: 2007-0212 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an
unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by the discovery
of cracks on L13 BLANIK sailplanes in zones where the forward and
aft control sticks are attached to the connecting rod, designated as
``control bridge'' in the relevant Illustrated Parts Catalogues
(IPC). If left uncorrected, cracks could propagate and lead to
failure of the connecting rod with subsequent loss of control of the
sailplane.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires an inspection
of the control bridge to detect cracks and replacement, if
necessary. In addition, this AD requires an update of the aircraft
Maintenance Manual (MM) to incorporate repetitive inspections of the
control bridge.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
LET Aircraft Industries, a.s. has issued Mandatory Bulletin MB No.:
L13/105a, dated May 22, 2007. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 190 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $30,400, or $160 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 7 work-hours and require parts costing $2,000, for a cost of
$2,560 per product. We have no way of determining the number of
products that may need these actions.
[[Page 56701]]
Authority for This Rulemaking
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
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 FAA 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 AD:
Aircraft Industries, a.s. (Type Certificate No. G24EU formerly held
by LETECK[Eacute] Z[Aacute]VODY a.s. and LET Aeronautical Works):
Docket No. FAA-2007-28980; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-071-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by November 5, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model L-13 Blanik gliders, all serial
numbers, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight
Controls.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by the discovery
of cracks on L13 BLANIK sailplanes in zones where the forward and
aft control sticks are attached to the connecting rod, designated as
``control bridge'' in the relevant Illustrated Parts Catalogues
(IPC). If left uncorrected, cracks could propagate and lead to
failure of the connecting rod with subsequent loss of control of the
sailplane.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires an inspection
of the control bridge to detect cracks and replacement, if
necessary. In addition, this AD requires an update of the aircraft
Maintenance Manual (MM) to incorporate repetitive inspections of the
control bridge.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within the next 3 months after the effective date of this AD
and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months,
inspect the control bridge for cracks. Follow the procedures in LET
Aircraft Industries, a.s. Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13/105a, dated
May 22, 2007, except use a 10x magnifier and do a dye penetrant
inspection following the procedures in chapter 5, section 5, of FAA
Advisory Circular AC 43.13-1B CHG 1, dated September 27, 2001.
(2) If cracks are found during any inspection in paragraph
(f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, install a new control
bridge Dwg. No. (part number (P/N)) A740 370 N or Dwg. No. (P/N)
A401 001N following the procedures in LET Aircraft Industries, a.s.
Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13/105a, dated May 22, 2007.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows:
(1) The service information requires a visual inspection with a
6x magnifier. We are requiring a dye penetrant inspection and a 10x
magnifier to detect cracks that could go undetected using only a 6x
magnifier.
(2) The MCAI requires updating the maintenance manuals to add
``type A based'' repetitive inspections of the control bridge. Since
the maintenance manual is only one way of establishing a maintenance
program, the only way we can mandate these repetitive inspections is
through an AD action.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send
information to ATTN: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.
2007-0212, dated August 7, 2007; and LET Aircraft Industries, a.s.
Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13/105a, dated May 22, 2007, for related
information.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 28, 2007.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-19619 Filed 10-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P