[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31372-31374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15201]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-49-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; S.N. Centrair 101 Series Sailplanes.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to all S.N. Centrair (Centrair) 101 series
sailplanes. The proposed AD would require replacing the airbrake
control circuit with one of improved design. The proposed AD is the
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued
by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of the airbrake control
system, which could result in an inadvertent forced landing.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 17, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-49-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from S.N. Centrair, Aerodrome, 36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone:
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. This information also may be
examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer,
Sailplanes/Gliders, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 98-CE-49-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-49-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on Centrair 101 series sailplanes. The DGAC
reports that the airbrake control system has malfunctioned on one of
these Centrair 101 series sailplanes. Following an investigation, the
DGAC found that the airbrake control circuit had cracked, which
consequently failed during flight.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in an inadvertent
forced landing.
Relevant Service Information
S.N. Centrair has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 101-16, Revision
2, dated September 10, 1997, which
[[Page 31373]]
specifies procedures for inspecting the airbrake control system for
cracks, and if cracks are found, replacing the airbrake control system
with a reinforced airbrake control system. Sailplanes equipped with a
manual aileron and airbrake control would replace the existing airbrake
control system with a reinforced airbrake control system, part number
(P/N) $YO57D. Sailplanes equipped with an automatic aileron and
airbrake control system would replace the existing airbrake control
system with a reinforced airbrake control system, P/N $Y818E. This
service information also specifies repeating the inspection for cracks
at the annual inspection.
The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
French AD 95-261(A)R1, dated November 20, 1996, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in France.
The FAA's Determination
This sailplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC; reviewed all
available information, including the service information referenced
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Centrair 101 series sailplanes of the same
type design registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing AD
action. The proposed AD would require replacing the existing airbrake
control system. Accomplishment of the proposed replacement would be in
accordance with the appropriate Centrair maintenance manual and FAA
Advisory Circular (AC) 43.13-1A: Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and
Practices--Aircraft Inspection and Repair.
Proposed Compliance Time
The compliance time of the proposed AD is in calendar time instead
of hours time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the
affected sailplanes ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner
may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one week, while another
operator may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one year. In order
to ensure that all of the owners/operators of the affected sailplane
have replaced the airbrake control system within a reasonable amount of
time, the FAA is proposing a compliance time of 3 calendar months.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 41 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4
workhours per sailplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $100 per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$13,940, or $340 per sailplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would 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) if promulgated,
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 draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
S.N. Centrair: Docket No. 98-CE-49-AD.
Applicability: Models 101, 101A, 101P, 101AP sailplanes, all
serial numbers, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane 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 sailplanes 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 3 calendar months after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent loss of the airbrake control system, which could
result in an inadvertent forced landing, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the existing airbrake control system in accordance
with the appropriate Centrair maintenance manual and FAA Advisory
Circular (AC) 43.13-1A: Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and
Practices-Aircraft Inspection and Repair, as follows:
(1) For sailplanes equipped with manual aileron and airbrake
control systems, install Centrair part number (P/N) $YO57D or an
FAA-approved equivalent part number.
(2) For sailplanes equipped with an automatic aileron and
airbrake control system, install Centrair P/N $Y818E or an FAA-
approved equivalent part number.
(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 sailplane 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, 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.
[[Page 31374]]
(d) 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 64106.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 95-
261(A)R1, dated November 20, 1996
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 1, 1998.
Ronald K. Rathgeber,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15201 Filed 6-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U