[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10295-10296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5199]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-78-AD; Amendment 39-10366; AD 98-05-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica 
Ltda. Models AMT-100 and AMT-200 Powered Gliders

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 Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda. 
(Aeromot) Models AMT-100 and AMT-200 powered gliders. This AD requires 
replacing all main landing gear attaching nuts and bolts with ones of 
improved design. This AD is the result of mandatory continued 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Brazil. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the main landing gear, which could result in loss of control 
of the glider during landing operations.

DATES: Effective April 17, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 17, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Grupo Aeromot, Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda., Av. 
das Industries-1210, Bairro Anchieta, Caixa Postal 8031, 90200-Porto 
Alegre-RS, Brazil. 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-78-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: Curtis Jackson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix 
Blvd., suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6083; 
facsimile: (770) 703-6097.

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 Aeromot 
Models AMT-100 and AMT-200 powered gliders was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 25, 1997 
(62 FR 62725). The NPRM proposed to require replacing all main landing 
gear attaching bolts and nuts with attaching bolts and nuts of improved 
design. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM 
would be in accordance with Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica 
Ltda. Service Bulletin No. SB-200-32-044, Issue Date: August 18, 1997.
    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

[[Page 10296]]

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 18 powered gliders in the U.S. registry will 
be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
powered glider to accomplish this action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts are provided by the 
manufacturer at no cost. Based on these figures, the total cost impact 
of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,080 for the fleet or 
$60 per glider. This figure is based upon the assumption that no 
affected glider owner/operator has accomplished this action.

Compliance Time

    The compliance time of this AD is in calendar time instead of hours 
time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the affected glider 
ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner may operate the 
glider 25 hours TIS in one week, while another operator may operate the 
glider 25 hours TIS in one year. In order to ensure that all of the 
owners/operators of the affected gliders have replaced the attaching 
bolts and nuts on the main landing gear within a reasonable amount of 
time, a compliance time of 30 days is to be used.

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:

98-05-05  Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda: Amendment 39-
10366; Docket No. 97-CE-78-AD.

    Applicability: Model AMT-100 powered gliders (serial numbers (S/
N) 100.001 through 100.039 and 100.041 through 100.044), and Model 
AMT-200 powered gliders (S/N 200.040 and 200.045 through 200.080), 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each glider 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 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 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the main landing gear, which could result 
in loss of control of the glider during landing operations, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace all main landing gear attaching bolts (part number 
(P/N) TH 6x30 PL11 or an FAA-approved equivalent part number), nuts 
(P/N 6 PA-108 or an FAA-approved equivalent part number) with 
attaching bolts (P/N DIN 931 M6x30 (Pitch 1.0) Class 10.9 or an FAA-
approved equivalent part number), and nuts (P/N DIN 982 M6 (Pitch 
1.0) or an FAA-approved equivalent part number) in accordance with 
the Procedures section in Aeromot-Ind. Mecanico-Metalurgica Ltda. 
Service Bulletin No. SB-200-32-044, Issue Date August 18, 1997.
    (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 glider 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, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One 
Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349. 
The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

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

    (d) Questions or technical information related to Aeromot-
Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda. Service Bulletin No. SB-200-32-
044, Issue Date: August 18, 1997, should be directed to Grupo 
Aeromot, Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda., Av. das 
Industries-1210, Bairro Anchieta, Caixa Postal 8031, 90200-Porto 
Alegre-RS, Brazil. 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 replacements required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Aeromot-Ind. Mecanico-Metalurgica Ltda. Service 
Bulletin No. SB-200-32-044, Issue Date: August 18, 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 Grupo Aeromot, Aeromot-Industria 
Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda., Av. das Industries-1210, Bairro 
Anchieta, Caixa Postal 8031, 90200-Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil. 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 Brazilian CTA AD 
97-09-06, dated August 14, 1997.

    (f) This amendment (39-10366) becomes effective on April 17, 
1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 23, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-5199 Filed 3-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P