[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1279-1281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-481]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-06-AD; Amendment 39-9486; AD 96-02-01]


Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CentrAir Model 201 (All Types) 
Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to S.N. CentrAir Model 201 (all types) sailplanes. This action 
requires replacing all aileron balancing mass screws made of brass with 
screws made of steel, inspecting all steel screws for tightness, 
replacing any loose screws, and applying a normal screw thread safety 
bond. Incorrect fastening of the aileron balancing mass found on a 
Model 201 sailplane in France prompted this action. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent aileron failure and 
flutter caused by incorrect fastening of the aileron mass balance, 
which, if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of control 
of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective February 29, 1996.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-06-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from 
S.N. CentrAir, Aerodome, 36300 Le Blanc, France. This information may 
also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 95-CE-06-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Herman Belderok, Project Officer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain S.N. 
CentrAir Model 201 (all types) sailplanes. The DGAC reports that the 
aileron balancing mass was found incorrectly fastened on a Model 201 
sailplane. This condition, if not corrected, could adversely affect the 
controllability of the sailplane.
    S.N. CentrAir has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 201-11, dated 
February 26, 1992. This service bulletin references disassembly of each 
aileron, replacement of all aileron balancing mass screws made of brass 
with screws made of steel, inspection of all steel screws for correct 
tightness, and application of a normal screw thread safety bond.
    This sailplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other S.N. CentrAir Model 201 (all types) 
sailplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, 
this AD requires replacing all aileron balancing mass screws made of 
brass with screws made of steel, inspecting all steel screws for 
tightness, replacing any loose screws, and applying a normal screw 
thread safety bond. Accomplishment of these actions would be in 
accordance with the applicable maintenance or service manual.
    None of the Model 201 sailplanes affected by this action are on the 
U.S. Register. All sailplanes included in the applicability of this 
rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign 
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. 
However, the FAA considers this rule necessary to ensure that the 
unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject 
sailplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register.
    Should an affected sailplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register, accomplishment of the required replacement and inspection 
would take approximately 4 workhours at an average labor charge of $60 
per workhour. Parts cost approximately $10 per sailplane. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be $250 per 
sailplane that would become registered in the United States.
     Since this AD action does not affect any sailplane that is 
currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and 
imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and 
public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

     Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may 
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
     Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
     Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their 
comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 95-CE-06-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.
     The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment. 

[[Page 1281]]

     For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

     Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

     Accordingly, pursuant to 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

     1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as 
follows:


    Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

     2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) to read as follows:


96-02-01  S.N. Centrair: Amendment 39-9486. Docket 95-CE-06-AD.
    Applicability: Model 201 (all types) sailplanes (all serial 
numbers), certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For sailplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

     Compliance: Required prior to further flight after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
     To prevent aileron failure and flutter caused by incorrect 
fastening of the aileron mass balance, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in loss of control of the sailplane, 
accomplish the following:
     (a) Using procedures in the applicable maintenance or service 
manual, disassemble the aileron of each wing and accomplish the 
following:
     (1) Replace all aileron balancing mass screws made of brass 
with screws made of steel, F/90 M4 x 16 (available at S.N. CentrAir 
under reference 400047).
     (2) Inspect all steel aileron balancing mass screws for 
tightness, and replace any loose screws with F/90 M4 x 16 screws 
(available at S.N. CentrAir under reference 400047).
     (3) Apply a normal screw thread safety bond.

     Note 2: CentrAir Service Bulletin No. 201-11, dated February 
26, 1992, refers to this subject. The procedures for accomplishing 
this action are included in the applicable maintenance or service 
manual.

     (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the sailplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
     (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1201 
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the document referred to herein upon request to S.N. CentrAir, 
Aerodome, 36300 Le Blanc, France; or may examine this document at 
the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
     (e) This amendment (39-9486) becomes effective on February 23, 
1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 5, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-481 Filed 1-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U