[Federal Register: December 3, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 231)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67841-67843]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03de07-2]
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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;
Amendment 39-15282; AD 2007-25-01]
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: Final Rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation
[[Page 67842]]
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.
We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective January 7, 2008.
On January 7, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this
AD.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590.
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:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2007 (72
FR 56700). That NPRM proposed 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.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Differences Between This 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 required 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 AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 190 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product to
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is
$80 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the 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.
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 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD and placed it in the AD Docket.
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 the NPRM, 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.
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 FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2007-25-01 Aircraft Industries, a.s. (Type Certificate No. G24EU
formerly held by Letecke Zavody a.s. and LET
[[Page 67843]]
Aeronautical Works): Amendment 39-15282; Docket No. FAA-2007-28980;
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-071-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January
7, 2008.
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 January 7, 2008 (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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use LET Aircraft Industries, a.s. Mandatory
Bulletin MB No.: L13 / 105a, dated May 22, 2007, to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Aircraft Industries, a.s., Na Z[aacute]honech 1177, 686 04 Kunovice,
Czech Republic; phone: +420 572 817 660; fax: +420 572 816 112; e-
mail: ots@let.cz.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 23, 2007.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-23222 Filed 11-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P