[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 87 (Friday, May 3, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19815-19816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10914]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-30-AD; Amendment 39-9607; AD 96-10-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; HB Flugtechnik GmbH Model HB-23/2400 
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 certain HB Flugtechnik GmbH (Flugtechnik) Model HB-23/2400 
sailplanes. This action requires inspecting (one time) the elevator 
control push rod tube for dents or bending and replacing the push rod 
tube, if damaged, inspecting the elevator control system for incorrect 
rigging, and repetitively inspecting the threaded adjustable extension 
joints in the push rod to control lever connection for cracks. If 
cracks are found, replacing the threaded adjustable joints at both ends 
of the push rod. Cracking of the threaded adjustable extension joints 
and incorrect rigging of the elevator control system prompted this AD 
action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the elevator control system, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in possible loss of elevator control and loss 
of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective June 12, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from HB Flugtechnik GmbH, Dr. Adolf Scharfstr, 42, PF 74, A-4053 Haid, 
Austria, telephone 43.7229.80904. This information may also be examined 
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-30-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, Sailplane Program 
Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane 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 would apply 
to HB Flugtechnik GmbH (Flugtechnik) Model HB-23/2400 sailplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on October 13, 1995 (60 FR 53310). 
This action proposed to require:

--Inspecting (one time) for bending and dents on the elevator control 
push rod tube, and replacing the elevator control push rod tube, if 
damaged,
--Inspecting the clearance between the elevator control lever and the 
elevator control push rod, ensuring the clearance remains at least 3 
mm,
--Inspecting the threaded portion of the adjustable push rod joints 
(located at each end of the push rod) for fatigue cracks and 
deformation, and if cracked or damaged, (based on the fatigue 
evaluation), replacing the joints on both ends of the push rod.
--Repetitively inspecting, at intervals not to exceed 500 hours, the 
threaded portion of the adjustable push rod joints for cracks or 
deformation, and if cracked or damaged replacing the joints as 
necessary.

    Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with 
HB Flugtechnik GmbH service bulletins (SB) HB-23/17/91 and HB-23/18/91, 
both dated October 28, 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 one sailplane in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 hours to 
accomplish the AD action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $70 per sailplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on the one 
U.S. operator is estimated to be $250. This figure is based on the 
assumption that the affected owner/operator of the affected sailplane 
has not incorporated the modification or accomplished the inspections. 
The FAA has no way of determining the number of repetitive inspections 
the owner/operator may incur over the life of the sailplane.
    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

[[Page 19816]]

``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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Secs. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-10-02  HB Flugtechnik GMBH: Amendment 39-9607; Docket No. 95-CE-
30-AD.

    Applicability: Model HB-23/2400 sailplanes (serial numbers 23001 
through 23048), 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 (f) 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 initially within the next 50 hours time-in-
service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, and as indicated 
in the body of this AD thereafter, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the elevator control system, which, if not 
detected and corrected, could result in possible loss of elevator 
control and loss of the sailplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect (one time) for bending and dents on the elevator 
control push rod tube. If the push rod tube is damaged, prior to 
further flight, replace the elevator control push rod tube in 
accordance with HB Flugtechnik GmbH (Flugtechnik) service bulletin 
(SB) HB-23/18/91, dated October 28, 1991.
    (b) Inspect the clearance between the elevator control lever and 
the elevator control push rod, ensuring the clearance remains at 
least 3 mm. If clearance is not 3 mm, prior to further flight, 
adjust in accordance with the maintenance manual.
    (c) Inspect the threaded portion of the adjustable push rod 
joints (located at each end of the push rod) for fatigue cracks and 
deformation, and if cracked or damaged, (based on the fatigue 
evaluation), prior to further flight, replace the joints on both 
ends of the push rod in accordance with Flugtechnik SB HB-23/17/91, 
dated October 28, 1991.
    (d) Repetitively inspect the threaded portion of the adjustable 
push rod joints, at intervals not to exceed 500 hours time-in-
service (TIS) thereafter for cracks or deformation, and if cracked 
or damaged, prior to further flight, replace the joints as 
necessary, in accordance with Flugtechnik SB HB-23/17/91, dated 
October 28, 1991.
    (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 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Airplane Certification Service, 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 and modifications required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with ING Heino Broitschka Flugtechnik 
Ges.m.b.H Service Bulletin HB-23/17/91, dated October 28, 1991, and 
ING Heino Broitschka Flugtechnik Ges.m.b.H Service Bulletin HB-23/
18/91, dated October 28, 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 HB 
Flugtechnik GmbH, Dr. Adolf Scharfstr, 42, PF 74, A-4053 Haid, 
Austria. 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., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (h) This amendment (39-9607) becomes effective on June 12, 1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 24, 1996.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-10914 Filed 5-2-96; 8:45 am]
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