[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6635-6636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3226]
[[Page 6635]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-93-AD; Amendment 39-10314; AD 98-04-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Model EA-300/S
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 certain EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Model EA-300/S airplanes.
This AD requires modifying the canopy latches or replacing the canopy
latches with parts of improved design. This AD is the result of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the
airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent failure of the canopy while the airplane is in
flight because of cracked canopy latches, which could result in loss of
the canopy and possible loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective March 24, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 24, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, 46569 Hunxe, Germany.
This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-93-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. Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut Street, 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 certain EXTRA
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model EA-300/S airplanes was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 5, 1997
(62 FR 59827). The NPRM proposed to require modifying the canopy
latches or replacing the canopy latches with parts of improved design,
part number (P/N) PC-23303.8P1 for both front latches and the rear
right; and P/N PC-23303.8P2 for the rear left. Accomplishment of the
proposed actions would be in accordance with EXTRA Service Bulletin No.
300-3-94, dated August 3, 1994.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
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 25 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the modifications or replacements, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $100 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,000, or $280
per airplane.
Differences Between the German AD, the Service Bulletin, and This
AD
German AD 94-258, dated August 25, 1994, and EXTRA Service Bulletin
No. 300-3-94, dated August 3, 1994, both give the owners/operators of
certain Model EA-300/S airplanes the option of (1) repetitively
inspecting the canopy latches until cracks are found, and then
modifying or replacing (with parts of improved design) any cracked
latches; or (2) immediately modifying the existing latches or replacing
the latches with parts of improved design.
The FAA's policy is to provide corrective action that will
eliminate the need for repetitive inspections. The FAA has determined
that long-term operational safety will be better assured by design
changes that remove the source of the problem, rather than by
repetitive inspections or other special procedures.
Because the modification or replacement (with parts of improved
design) of the canopy latches eliminates the need for repetitive
inspections, this AD differs from the service bulletin and the German
AD in that it will mandate either modification or replacement of the
canopy latches regardless of condition.
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.
[[Page 6636]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
98-04-01 Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10314; Docket No. 97-
CE-93-AD.
Applicability: Models EA-300/S airplanes, serial numbers 01
through 24, 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 failure of the canopy while the airplane is in flight
because of cracked canopy latches, which could result in loss of the
canopy and possible loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
(a) Modify all canopy latches or replace all canopy latches with
parts of improved design, part number (P/N) PC-23303.8P1 for both
front latches and the rear right; and P/N PC-23303.8P2 for the rear
left. Accomplish the modifications or replacements in accordance
with the Instructions section of EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-3-
94, dated August 3, 1994.
(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 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) Questions or technical information related to EXTRA Service
Bulletin No. 300-3-94, dated August 3, 1994, should be directed to
EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, 46569 Hunxe, Germany.
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.
(e) The modifications or replacements required by this AD shall
be done in accordance with EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-3-94,
dated August 3, 1994. 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 EXTRA
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, 46569 Hunxe, Germany. Copies
may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 94-258,
dated August 25, 1994.
(f) This amendment (39-10314) 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. 98-3226 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U