[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 6, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57322-57323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27934]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-39-AD; Amendment 39-9805; AD 96-22-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; HB Aircraft Industries AG HB-23 2400 
Hobbyliner/Scanliner 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 Aircraft Industries AG HB-23 2400 Hobbyliner/
Scanliner sailplanes. This action requires inspecting the rudder 
bearing support bracket for cracks, replacing the bracket if cracked, 
and modifying the bracket with a third bolt, if no cracks are found. 
Cracks found in the rudder bearing support brackets prompted this 
action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracks 
in the rudder bearing support bracket, which could cause loss of 
control of the rudder and possible loss of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective December 30, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Ing. Heino Brditschka, HB-Flugtechnik Ges m.b.H, attn: Dr. Adolf 
Scharf, Strasse 42, Post Fach 74, A-4053, Haid, Austria. 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-39-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. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes/Gliders, 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:

Events Leading to This Action

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain H.B. 
Flugtechnik GmbH (Flugtechnik) HB-23/2400 sailplanes (also known as HB 
Aircraft Industries AG HB-23 2400 Hobbyliner/Scanliner sailplanes) was 
published in the Federal Register on May 13, 1996, (61 FR 21980). The 
action proposed to require inspecting the rudder bearing support 
bracket for cracks, and replacing the bracket with a new bracket that 
has 3 bolt holes, or modifying the bracket by drilling a third hole and 
installing a new bolt.
    Accomplishment of this action would be in accordance with Ing. 
Heino Brditschka Flugtechnik Ges m.b.H (HB Flugtechnik) Service 
Bulletin (SB) HB 23/19/91, dated October 5, 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.

FAA's Determination

    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. These editorial corrections involve 
changing the name of the company and the sailplane cited in the NPRM. 
The NPRM referred to the sailplane name as H.B. Flugtechnik Models 23/
2400, and the company as H.B. Flugtechnik GmbH. The actual company name 
listed on the company's Type Certificate (TC) data sheet for this 
sailplane is HB Aircraft Industries AG. The sailplane model listed on 
the TC data sheet is Model HB-23 2400 Hobbyliner/Scanliner. Therefore , 
the name for the company and the sailplane have been changed to reflect 
the correct names in the final rule. 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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that one sailplane in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
sailplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $5 per 
sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $65. This figure is based upon the 
assumption that no affected sailplane owner/operator has accomplished 
the proposed inspection and replacement.

Regulatory Impact

    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:

96-22-16  HB Aircraft Industries AG: Amendment 39-9805; Docket No. 
95-CE-39-AD.

    Applicability: Model HB-23 2400 Hobbyliner/Scanliner Sailplanes, 
(serial numbers 23001 through 23048), certificated in any category.


[[Page 57323]]


    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 within the next 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent the rudder bearing support bracket from cracking, 
which could cause loss of rudder control and possible loss of the 
sailplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect (one time) the rudder bearing support bracket with a 
10x magnifying glass for any visible cracks in accordance with the 
Actions section of Ing. Heino Brditschka Flugtechnik Ges m.b.H (HB 
Flugtechnik) Service Bulletin (SB) HB-23/19/91, dated October 5, 
1991.
    (1) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the 
rudder bearing support bracket with a new support bracket that has 3 
bolt holes in accordance with the Actions section of HB Flugtechnik 
SB HB-23/19/91, dated October 5, 1991.
    (2) If no cracks are found, modify the rudder bearing support 
bracket by drilling a third hole and installing a third bolt (part 
number M6x30), or replace the bracket with a new bracket that has 3 
bolt holes in accordance with the Actions section of HB Flugtechnik 
SB HB-23/19/91, dated October 5, 1991.
    (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, Aircraft 
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.

    (d) The inspection, replacement or modification required by this 
AD shall be done in accordance with Ing. Heino Brditschka 
Flugtechnik Ges m.b.H Service Bulletin HB-23/19/91, dated October 5, 
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 Ing. H. Brditschka HB-
Flugtechnik, Ges m.b.H, attn: Dr. Adolf Scharf, Strasse 42, Post 
Fach 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.

    (e) This amendment (39-9805) becomes effective on December 30, 
1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 24, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-27934 Filed 11-5-96; 8:45 am]
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