[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35959-35961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17450]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-36-AD; Amendment 39-10062; AD 97-13-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries, Inc. Model 
DA 20-A1 Airplanes, Serial Numbers 10002 Through 10287

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-13-02, which was sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Diamond Aircraft 
Industries, Inc. (Diamond) Model DA 20-A1 airplanes. This AD requires 
fabricating and installing a placard and inserting limitations into the 
airplane's flight manual limitations section prohibiting spin maneuvers 
until a modification is installed. This AD results from an occurrence 
where a pilot's shoe jammed between the rudder control pedal and the 
firewall during a spin recovery in a Canadian registered HOAC-Austria 
Model DV 20 KATANA airplane. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent the pilot's shoe from becoming jammed between the 
rudder pedal and firewall which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective July 14 1997, to all persons except those to whom it 
was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 97-13-02, issued 
June 12, 1997, which contained the requirements of this amendment.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 14, 1997.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before August 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-36-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from 
Diamond Aircraft Industries, Inc., 1560 Crumlin Sideroad, London, 
Ontario, Canada N5V 1S2; telephone (519) 457-4041; facsimile (519) 457-
4045. This information may also be examined at the Rules Docket at the 
address above, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., 7th Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory J. Michalik, Senior Aerospace 
Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 East Devon Ave., 
Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 294-7135; facsimile (847) 
294-7834

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On June 12, 1997, the FAA issued priority letter AD 97-13-02, which 
applies to Diamond Model DA 20-A1 airplanes. That AD resulted from an 
occurrence where a pilot's shoe jammed between the rudder control pedal 
and the firewall during a spin recovery in a Canadian registered HOAC-
Austria Model DV 20 KATANA airplane. Investigation of the occurrence by 
Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, 
revealed that the pilot's shoe caught on the head of a screw protruding 
from the firewall just above the rudder control pedals. There are two 
screws in this area

[[Page 35960]]

that secure the battery box to the firewall.
    Further examination of the design of the HOAC-Austria Model DV 20 
KATANA airplane indicates that the potential for jamming of a pilot's 
shoe between the rudder pedal and the firewall also exists for Diamond 
Model DA 20-A1 airplanes. The Model DV 20 KATANA is manufactured in 
Austria, and is of similar design to the Model DA 20-A1 which is 
manufactured in Canada. The situation can develop when aggressive full 
rudder is applied such as in a spin entry, with simultaneous placement 
of the pilot's feet high on the toe brakes. The pilot's shoe can become 
jammed between the rudder pedal and firewall which could result in loss 
of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Diamond Aircraft has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. DA 20-53-
01A, which specifies procedures for modifying the rudder control pedal 
area with skid plates and countersunk screws to preclude the pilot's 
shoe from catching on the battery box mounting screws and thus 
restricting the movement of the rudder pedals.
    In order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes 
in Canada, Transport Canada has classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued Canadian AD No. CF-97-09, applicable to Diamond 
Model DA 20-A1 airplanes, which requires fabricating and installing a 
placard and inserting limitations into the airplane's flight manual 
limitations (AFM) section prohibiting spin maneuvers until the above 
modification is installed.
    This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and Explanation of the AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Diamond Model DA 20-A1 airplanes of the same 
type design, the FAA issued priority letter AD 97-13-02 to prevent the 
pilot's shoe from jamming between the rudder pedal and firewall which 
could result in loss of control of the airplane. The AD requires 
fabricating and installing a placard (with \1/8\-inch letters) in the 
clear view of the pilot that reads: ``SPINS PROHIBITED'', and amending 
the airplane flight manual (AFM) limitations section to indicate that 
spinning is not permitted.
    The placard fabrication and AFM insertion can be accomplished by an 
owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as 
authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
43.7).
    In addition, this AD requires accomplishing a modification to the 
rudder control pedal area with skid plates and countersunk screws at 
which time the AFM limitation and the placard can be removed. The 
modification is to be done in accordance with the instructions in 
Diamond Alert Service Bulletin No. DA 20-53-01A, Rev. 0, dated June 5, 
1997.

Determination of the Effective Date of the AD

    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters 
issued on June 12, 1997 to all known U.S. operators of Diamond Model DA 
20-A1 airplanes. These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby 
published in the Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective as 
to all persons.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 will be considered, 
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual 
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is 
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and 
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 97-CE-13-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from 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.


[[Page 35961]]




Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

97-13-02  Diamond Aircraft Industries, Inc.: Amendment 39-10062; 
Docket 97-CE-36-AD.
    Applicability: Model DA 20-A1 airplanes, serial numbers 10002 
through 10287, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane 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 airplanes 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 (g) 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished, except to those operators receiving this 
action by priority letter issued June 12, 1997, which made these 
actions effective immediately upon receipt.
    To prevent the pilot's shoe from becoming jammed between the 
rudder pedal and firewall which could result in loss of control of 
the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
fabricate a placard in \1/8\-inch letters with the words ``SPINS 
PROHIBITED'', and install this placard in the airplane cabin within 
the pilot's clear view.
    (b) Prior to further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
insert a copy of this priority letter AD into the limitations 
section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM).
    (c) Fabricating and installing the placard and inserting a copy 
of this AD into the AFM limitations section 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 airplane's records showing 
compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations.
    (d) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
modify the rudder control pedal area in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Diamond Alert Service 
Bulletin No. DA20-53-01A, Rev. 0, dated June 5, 1997.
    (e) Accomplishing the modification in paragraph (d) of this AD 
eliminates the need for the placard and AFM limitations requirements 
specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.
    (f) 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 airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 
East Devon Ave., Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager Chicago Aircraft 
Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.

    (h) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Diamond Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin No. DA20-53-
01A, Rev. 0, dated June 5, 1997. 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 
Diamond Aircraft Industries, Inc., 1560 Crumlin Sideroad, London, 
Ontario, Canada N5V 1S2. 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.
    (i) This amendment (39-10062) becomes effective on July 14, 1997 
to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by priority letter AD 97-13-02, issued June 12, 1997, 
which contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 26, 1997.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-17450 Filed 7-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P