[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11821-11823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6019]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-81-AD; Amendment 39-10381; AD 98-06-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Model EA-300 
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 (EXTRA) Model EA-300 
airplanes. This AD requires removing the elevator mass balance 
assemblies and replacing them with reinforced elevator mass balance 
assemblies 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 damage and possible jamming of the airplane's control system, 
which, if not corrected, could cause loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective April 24, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Extra Flugzeugbau, GmbH, Schwarze Heide 21, 46569 Hunxe, Germany, 
telephone: 49-2358-9137-0; facsimile: 49-2858-9137-30. 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-81-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: Karl M. Schletzbaum, Aerospace 
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

[[Page 11822]]

Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106, telephone: (816) 426-6932; 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 EXTRA Model EA-300 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on December 31, 1997 (62 FR 68239). The NPRM proposed 
to require removing each elevator mass balance assembly, and replacing 
each elevator mass balance assembly with a reinforced elevator mass 
balance assembly of improved design (part number (P/N) PC-33202.1B or 
an FAA-approved part number). Accomplishment of the proposed action as 
specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with EXTRA EA-300, 
Elevator Mass Balance, Service Bulletin No. 300-1-92, Issue A, dated 
March 27, 1992.
    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 20 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, 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 $5,600 or $280 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, 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:

98-06-03  Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10381; Docket No. 97-
CE-81-AD.

    Applicability: Model EA-300 airplanes (serial numbers V1, and 
001 through 034), 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 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent possible jamming of the airplane's control system, 
which, if not corrected, could cause loss of control of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the elevator mass balance assemblies with new 
reinforced elevator mass balance assemblies (part number (P/N) PC-
33202.1B or an FAA-approved equivalent part number), in accordance 
with the Instructions section of the EXTRA EA-300, Elevator Mass 
Balance, Service Bulletin No. 300-1-92, Issue A, dated March 27, 
1992.
    (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, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 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 EA-300, 
Elevator Mass Balance, Service Bulletin No. 300-1-92, Issue A, dated 
March 27, 1992, should be directed to Extra Flugzeugbau, GmbH, 
Schwarze Heide 21, 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 replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with EXTRA EA-300, Elevator Mass Balance, Service 
Bulletin No. 300-1-92, Issue A, dated March 27, 1992. 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, Schwarze 
Heide 21, 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 92-199 
Extra, dated April 13, 1992.

    (f) This amendment (39-10381) becomes effective on April 24, 
1998.


[[Page 11823]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 3, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6019 Filed 3-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U