[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 79 (Friday, April 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20309-20311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10594]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-91-AD; Amendment 39-10490; AD 98-09-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Models EA-300 
and EA-300S 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 all EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH (EXTRA) Models EA-300 and EA-300S 
airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the rudder control cables to 
assure that correctly swaged Nicopress type sleeves are 
installed at each end of the cables, and replacing any cable assembly 
where correctly swaged Nicopress type sleeves are not 
installed. 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 a control 
cable from pulling through an incorrectly swaged sleeve, which could 
result in loss of rudder control with consequent loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective June 7, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 7, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, D-4224 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-91-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.


[[Page 20310]]



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 all EXTRA Models EA-
300 and EA-300S airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 10, 1998 (63 FR 6689). 
The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the rudder control cables to 
assure that correctly swaged Nicopress type sleeves are 
installed at each end of the cables, and replacing any cable assembly 
where correctly swaged Nicopress type sleeves are not 
installed. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the 
NPRM would be in accordance with EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-1-93, 
dated February 9, 1993, and Advisory Circular (AC) 43.13-1A, Acceptable 
Methods, Techniques and Practices. The proposed replacement would be 
required in accordance with the maintenance manual.
    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 23 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the actions required by this AD, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $500 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $19,780, or $860 
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:

98-09-10  Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10490; Docket No. 97-
CE-91-AD.

    Applicability: Models EA-300 and EA-300S airplanes, all serial 
numbers, 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 (d) 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: To prevent a control cable from pulling through an 
incorrectly swaged sleeve, which could result in loss of rudder 
control with consequent loss of control of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the rudder control cables to 
assure that correctly swaged Nicopress type sleeves are 
installed at each end of the cables. Accomplish this inspection in 
accordance with EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-1-93, dated February 
9, 1993, and Advisory Circular (AC) 43.13-1A, Acceptable Methods, 
Techniques and Practices.
    (b) Prior to further flight after the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, replace any cable assembly, where 
correctly swaged Nicopress type sleeves are not 
installed, with cable assemblies that have correctly swaged 
Nicopress type sleeves installed.
    (1) Accomplish the replacement in accordance with the 
maintenance manual.
    (2) Accomplish the installation in accordance with EXTRA Service 
Bulletin No. 300-1-93, dated February 9, 1993, and AC 43.13-1A, 
Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices.
    (c) 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.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times 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.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to EXTRA Service 
Bulletin No. 300-1-93 dated February 9, 1993, should be directed to 
EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, D-4224 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.
    (f) The inspection and installation(s) required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-1-93 dated 
February 9, 1993. 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, D-4224 Hunxe, Germany. Copies 
may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E.

[[Page 20311]]

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 No. 93-
081, dated March 15, 1993.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on June 7, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on April 15, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10594 Filed 4-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U