[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 226 (Thursday, November 21, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59203-59206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29722]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 92-CE-41-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives: Louis L'Hotellier, S.A., Ball and 
Swivel Joint Quick Connectors

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to Louis L'Hotellier S.A. (L'Hotellier) ball and 
swivel joint quick connectors installed on gliders and sailplanes that 
are not equipped with a ``Uerling'' sleeve or an LS-safety sleeve. 
These connectors allow the operator of the gliders and sailplanes to 
quickly connect and disconnect the control systems during assembly and 
disassembly for storage

[[Page 59204]]

purposes. The proposed action would require enlarging the safety pin 
guide hole diameter, and fabricating and installing a placard that 
specifies a check of the security of the connectors prior to each 
flight. Several in-flight accidents involving inadvertent disconnection 
of these connectors that are installed on certain gliders and 
sailplanes prompted the proposed action. The actions specified in this 
proposed AD are intended to prevent the connectors from becoming 
inadvertently disconnected, which could result in loss of control of 
the sailplane or glider.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 24, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 92-CE-41-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
holidays excepted.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 92-CE-41-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 92-CE-41-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Events Leading to the Proposed Action

    The FAA has received several reports of L'Hotellier quick 
connectors used on gliders and sailplanes becoming disconnected. These 
ball and swivel joint connectors allow the operator to quickly connect 
and disconnect the glider control systems during assembly and 
disassembly for storage purposes.
    The FAA has determined that there could be several reasons for the 
referenced failures. Among these include the lack of preflight check 
procedures, improper connection assembly, and inadequate inspection and 
maintenance requirements.
    On July 22, 1992, the FAA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit comments from owners/operators of the 
affected gliders and sailplanes in order to adequately make a 
determination as to what type of action to take (if any). The responses 
to the ANPRM may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket specified 
in the ADDRESSES section of the proposal.
    From responses to this ANPRM, the FAA found that most of the 
owners/operators who responded are checking the security of the 
connectors prior to flight; however, these owner/operators are not 
always using a safety pin, wire or sleeve to adequately secure the 
connectors in a locked position. Based on review of the above-
referenced incidents, the FAA has determined that installing a pin, 
safety wire, or safety sleeve, as applicable, will assure that these 
connectors will not inadvertently disconnect while the glider or 
sailplane is in flight.

FAA's Determination

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents and accidents described above, 
including the comments received in response to the ANPRM, the FAA has 
determined that AD action should be taken to prevent these connectors 
from becoming inadvertently disconnected, which could result in loss of 
control of the sailplane or glider.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in gliders and sailplanes utilizing the L'Hotellier 
ball and swivel joint quick connectors, and that are not equipped with 
a ``Uerling'' sleeve or an LS-Safety sleeve, the proposed AD would 
require the following:

--Enlarging the safety pin guide hole diameter to a minimum of 1.2 mm 
(0.05 in.) to accommodate a safety wire or pin, as applicable.
--Fabricating a placard (using 1/8 inch letters) with the following 
words: ``All L'Hotellier control system connectors must be secured with 
safety wire, pins or safety sleeves, as applicable, prior to 
operation.''
--Installing this placard in the glider or sailplane within the pilot's 
clear view.

Proposed Compliance Time

    The compliance time of the proposed AD is in calendar time instead 
of hours time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the 
affected sailplanes and gliders ranges throughout the fleet. For 
example, one owner may operate the sailplane or glider 25 hours in one 
week, while another operator may operate the sailplane or glider 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 and gliders incorporate the proposed actions within a 
reasonable amount of time, a calendar compliance time is proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1,100 sailplanes and gliders, with an 
average of 4 connectors per sailplane, in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take less than 4 workhours 
per sailplane or glider to accomplish the proposed actions (less than 1 
workhour per connector), and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$264,000. This cost is figured for the estimated time it would take for 
an authorized mechanic to enlarge the safety pin guide hole diameter. 
An owner/operator who holds a private pilot's certificate, as 
authorized by sections 43.7 and 43.11 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 43.7 and 43.11), can fabricate and install the 
placard. This $264,000 figure is based on the assumption that all of 
the affected owners/operators of the affected sailplanes and gliders do 
not have the guide pin hole already

[[Page 59205]]

enlarged, a safety sleeve installed, or the placard installed.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would 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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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); 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Louis L'Hotellier, S.A. Ball and Swivel Joint Quick Connectors

Docket No. 92-CE-41-AD.

    Applicability: All quick connectors as installed in, but not 
limited to, the following gliders and sailplanes that are not 
equipped with a ``Uerling'' sleeve or an LS-Safety sleeve:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Manufacturer                                                Models                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alexander Schleicher.......................  ASH25, ASH25E, ASK21, ASK23, ASK23B, ASW15, ASW15B, ASW17, ASW19,  
                                              ASW19B, ASW20, ASW20B, ASW20BL, ASW20C, ASW20L, ASW20CL, ASW22,   
                                              ASW22B, and ASW22BE.                                              
Centrair...................................  101A Pegasus, Pegasus 85, and Ventus.                              
Eiravion...................................  PIK 20, PIK 20B, PIK 20D, PIK 20E, and PIK 30.                     
Glaser Dirks...............................  DG100, DG200, and DG400.                                           
Grob.......................................  G102 Astir CS, G102 Astir CS 77, G102 Standard Astir II, G102 Club 
                                              Astir, G102 Astir CS Jeans, G103 ACRO, G103 TW Astir, G103 Twin   
                                              Astir Trainer, G109, and G109B.                                   
Intreprinderea ICA (Lark)..................  IS28, IS29, and IS32.                                              
Rolladen Schneider.........................  LS1-0, LS1-a, LS1-b, LS1-c, LS1-d, LS1-f, LS3-a, and LS3-17.       
Schempp-Hirth..............................  Cirrus, Std. Cirrus, Std. Cirrus B, Std. Cirrus CS-11-75L, Std.    
                                              Cirrus G, VTC, Nimbus 2, Nimbus 2B, Nimbus 2C, Nimbus 2M, Nimbus- 
                                              3, Nimbus-3/24.5, Nimbus-3D, Nimbus-3T, Nimbus-3DT, Nimbus-3DM,   
                                              Janus, Janus B, Janus C, Janus Ca, Janus CM, and Janus CT, Discus 
                                              a, Ventus, Ventus-a, Ventus-a/16.6, Ventus-c (with the Ventus-a   
                                              fuselage).                                                        
Schweizer..................................  2-33 and 1-26.                                                     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to each glider and 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 gliders and 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 (d) 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 30 calendar days after the 
effective date of this AD, or upon installation of the quick 
connectors, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent the quick connectors from becoming inadvertently 
disconnected, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane 
or glider, accomplish the following:
    (a) For quick connectors that have a safety pin guide hole, 
enlarge the hole in the lock plate to a minimum diameter of 1.2 mm 
(0.05 in.) to accommodate a safety wire or pin.
    (b) Fabricate and install a placard (using 1/8 inch letters) in 
the glider or sailplane, within the pilot's clear view, with the 
following words: ``All L'Hotellier control system connectors must be 
secured with safety wire, pins or safety sleeves, as applicable, 
prior to operation.''
    (c) Fabricating and installing the placard as required by 
paragraph (b) 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 or glider's records showing 
compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.11 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.11).
    (d) 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. The request 
shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance

[[Page 59206]]

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.

    (e) All persons affected by this directive 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 13, 1996.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-29722 Filed 11-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-32-P