[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6633-6634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3225]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-84-AD; Amendment 39-10315; AD 98-04-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; HOAC Austria Model DV 20 Katana
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to HOAC Austria Model DV 20 Katana airplanes. This AD requires
replacing the nose wheel leg of the nose landing gear (NLG) with a part
of improved design. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority
for Austria. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
NLG collapse caused by cracks in the welding of the nose wheel tappet
of the NLG, which could result in the inability to control the airplane
during landing, takeoff, and other ground operations.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 24, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that relates to this AD may be obtained
from Diamond Aircraft Industries, G.m.b.H., N.A. Otto-Strabe 5, A-2700,
Wiener Neustadt, Austria. This information may also be examined at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central
[[Page 6634]]
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-
CE-84-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roger P. Chudy, Aerospace
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service,
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone:
(816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to HOAC Austria Model DV
20 Katana airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 7, 1997 (62 FR 60183). The
NPRM proposed to require replacing the nose wheel leg of the NLG with a
part of improved design, nose wheel leg version ``B'', in accordance
with the applicable maintenance manual.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Austria.
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.
The 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. 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 20 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per
airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average
labor rate is approximately $60 per hour. Parts cost approximately $900
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $19,200, or $960 per airplane.
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, 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:
98-04-02 Hoac Austria: Amendment 39-10315; Docket No. 97-CE-84-AD.
Applicability: Model DV 20 Katana airplanes, serial numbers
20.005 through 20.160, 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 (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 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent nose landing gear (NLG) collapse caused by cracks in
the welding of the nose wheel tappet of the NLG, which could result
in the inability to control the airplane during landing, takeoff,
and other ground operations, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the nose wheel leg of the NLG with a part of
improved design, nose wheel leg version ``B'', in accordance with
the applicable maintenance manual.
Note 2: Diamond Aircraft Industries Service Bulletin No. 20-32,
dated April 5, 1996, specifies the replacement required by this AD
for the HOAC Austria Model DV 20 Katana airplanes.
(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 airplane 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, 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to Diamond
Aircraft Industries Service Bulletin No. 20-32, dated April 5, 1996,
should be directed to Diamond Aircraft Industries G.m.b.H., N.A.
Otto-Strabe 5, A-2700, Wiener Neustadt, Austria. This service
information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Austrian AD No.
86, dated May 29, 1996.
(e) This amendment (39-10315) becomes effective on March 24,
1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 2, 1998.
Carolanne L. Cabrini,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3225 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U