[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6770-6771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2682]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-CE-02-AD; Amendment 39-9509; AD 96-03-12]
Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Model Mosquito Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to Glasflugel Model Mosquito sailplanes. This action requires
modifying the mounting studs on the lifting/tilting frame of the canopy
system, repetitively inspecting the mounting stud, and incorporating
flight manual revisions that specify a warning on emergency canopy
deployment failure. Canopy system problems discovered during routine
checks and periodic inspections of these sailplanes prompted the
proposed action. The actions specified in this proposed AD are intended
to prevent canopy system failure, which could result in loss of control
of the sailplane.
DATES: Effective April 1, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 1, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Glasflugel c/o Hansjorg Streifeneder, Glasfaser-Flugzeug Service,
Hofener Weg, D 72582 Grabenstetten, Germany, telephone number
49.73.82.10.32. This information may also be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant
Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 93-CE-02-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 C. Belderok, Project
Officer, Sailplanes, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that applies to
Glasflugel Model Mosquito sailplanes was published in the Federal
Register on September 15, 1995 (60 FR 47899). This action proposed to
require the following:
Inspecting the mounting studs on the canopy lifting/
tilting frame for wear, repetitively inspecting the mounting stud every
100 hours time-in-service (TIS) thereafter,
Measuring the diameter of the mounting stud, and if it is
less than 5 mm (0.2 inch) increasing the diameter to 6 mm (0.24 inch)
and,
Incorporating a change to the Mosquito flight manual on
page 19, paragraph 3.3 by inserting the following language:
``Whenever the canopy emergency jettison knob is pulled and
prior to each flight, if no locking thread is used, it should be
ensured that the Pip pins are fully pushed home, so that the locking
balls are clear of and behind their fittings.''
Initially, the compliance time of this AD is in calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of
the affected sailplanes ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one
owner may operate the sailplane 25 hours in one week, while another
operator may operate the sailplane 25 hours in one year. For this
reason, the FAA has determined that, in order to ensure that all of the
owners/operators of the affected sailplanes initially inspect the
canopy system and incorporate the flight manual revisions within a
reasonable amount of time, a calendar compliance time is imposed.
Accomplishment of these actions will be in accordance with
Glasflugel Technical Note (TN) 303-18, dated March 1, 1991.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
The FAA estimates that 40 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per
sailplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $10 per sailplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $5,200. This figure is based on the
assumption that no affected owner/operator of the affected sailplanes
has incorporated the
[[Page 6771]]
modification or accomplished the inspection.
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.
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 copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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 U.S.C. 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:
96-03-12 Glasflugel: Amendment 39-9509; Docket No. 93-CE-02-AD.
Applicability: Model Mosquito 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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (f) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any sailplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD.
To prevent canopy system failure, which could result in loss of
control of the sailplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of
this AD, unless already accomplished, and thereafter at the
intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the
mounting studs on the canopy lifting/tilting frame for evidence of
wear and diameter specifications in accordance with the Actions
section in Glasflugel Technical Note (TN) 303-18, dated March 1,
1991.
(b) If during any of the inspections required by paragraph (a)
of this AD, the mounting stud is found worn or the diameter measures
less than 5 mm (0.2 inch), prior to further flight, increase the
diameter to 6 mm (0. 24 inch) in accordance with paragraph 1 of the
Actions section in Glasflugel TN 303-18, dated March 1, 1991.
(c) Within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of
this AD, unless already accomplished, incorporate the following
language on page 19, paragraph 3.3 of the Mosquito flight manual:
``Whenever the canopy emergency jettison knob is pulled and
prior to each flight, if no locking thread is used, it should be
ensured that the Pip pins are fully pushed home, so that the locking
balls are clear of and behind their fittings.''
(d) Incorporating the flight manual revision as required by
paragraph (c) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator
holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by
section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and
must be entered into the sailplane's records showing compliance with
this AD in accordance with section 43.11 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 43.11).
(e) 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.
(f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance times 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(g) The inspections, modifications, and installations required
by this AD shall be done in accordance with Glasflugel Technical
Note 303-18, dated March 1, 1991. This incorporation by reference
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
Glasflugel c/o Hansjorg Streifeneder, Glasfaser-Flugzeug Service,
Hofener Weg, D 72582 Grabenstetten, Germany, telephone number
49.73.82.10.32. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 7th Floor, suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(h) This amendment (39-9509) becomes effective on April 1, 1996.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on February 1, 1996.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-2682 Filed 2-21-96; 8:45 am]
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