[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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