[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64603-64605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31013]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-53-AD; Amendment 39-10893; AD 98-24-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Models EA-300,
EA-300S, and EA-300L 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) Models EA-300, EA-
300S, and EA-300L airplanes. This AD requires repetitively inspecting
the rudder pedal for proper alignment, the safety control stop for wear
and proper clearance, the rudder cables for elongation, and the rudder
pedal footrest for cracks. This AD also requires correcting or
replacing any discrepant part, as applicable. 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 rudder pedal footrest caused by
overloading the rudder pedal safety control stop, which could result in
loss of directional control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective December 28, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 28, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, D-46569 Hunxe,
Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: (01 49 28 58) 91 37-13;
facsimile: (01 49 28 58) 91 37-30. This information may also be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-53-
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 Models
EA-300, EA-300S, and EA-300L airplanes was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 17,
1998 (63 FR 49675). The NPRM proposed to require repetitively
inspecting the rudder pedal for proper alignment, the safety control
stop for wear and proper clearance, the rudder cable for proper
alignment, and the rudder pedal footrest for cracks. The NPRM also
proposed to require correcting or replacing any discrepant part, as
applicable. Accomplishment of the proposed actions as specified in the
NPRM would be required in accordance with EXTRA Service Bulletin No.
300-3-95, Issue: B, dated May 12, 1998.
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 15 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the inspections, and that the average labor rate
is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,600, or $240
per airplane. These figures do not take into
[[Page 64604]]
account any corrective action that will be necessary after
accomplishing the inspections.
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:
98-24-07 Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10893; Docket No. 98-
CE-53-AD.
Applicability: The following models and serial numbers,
certificated in any category:
Model and Serial Number
EA-300 All serial numbers, if factory equipped or retrofitted with
the electric actuated rudder pedal adjustment that was produced
prior to November 1995.
EA-300S 001 through 028
EA-300L 001 through 015
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 (f) 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 as follows:
1. Inspections specified in this AD are required within the next
50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD,
unless already accomplished, and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 50 hours TIS.
2. Replacements or other follow-on corrective actions specified
in this AD are required prior to further flight after the inspection
when the discrepancy was found.
To prevent failure of the rudder pedal footrest caused by
overloading the rudder pedal safety control stop, which could result
in loss of directional control of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
(a) Inspect the rudder pedal alignment in accordance with Figure
1 and Figure 2 and the Instructions Part I.1 section of EXTRA
Service Bulletin No. 300-3-95, Issue: B, dated May 12, 1998. If not
aligned, prior to further flight, accomplish one of the following,
as applicable, in accordance with the service bulletin:
(1) Re-rig the rudder cables to attain proper alignment; or
(2) Replace the rudder cables if alignment cannot be attained.
(b) For all airplanes equipped at manufacture with a safety
control stop (See Note 2 of this AD), inspect the safety control
stop for wear (rubbing, scrapes, etc.) in accordance with the
Instructions Part I.2 section of EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-3-
95, Issue: B, dated May 12, 1998. If the safety control stop is
worn, prior to further flight, replace the safety control stop and
accomplish one of the following, as applicable, in accordance with
the service bulletin:
(1) Re-rig the rudder cable if elongation of the cable is not
evident; or
(2) Replace the rudder cable if elongation of the cable is
evident.
Note 2: The Model EA-300/S airplanes, serial numbers 001 through
011, were not factory equipped with a safety control stop.
(c) Inspect the footrest flange in the area of the safety wire
hole for cracks in accordance with the Instructions Part I.3 section
of EXTRA Service Bulletin
No. 300-3-95, Issue: B, dated May 12, 1998. If cracks are found,
prior to further flight, replace the rudder pedal in accordance with
the applicable maintenance manual or instructions obtained from the
Small Airplane Directorate at the address specified in paragraph (f)
of this AD.
(d) For all airplanes equipped at manufacture with a safety
control stop (See Note 2 of this AD), inspect the safety control
stop clearance in accordance with the Instructions Part I.4 and
Instructions Part II section of EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-3-95,
Issue: B, dated May 12, 1998. If the clearance does not meet the
minimum specified clearance, prior to further flight, accomplish one
of the following, as applicable, in accordance with the service
bulletin:
(1) Adjust the foot rest to meet the required clearance if
elongation of the cable is not evident; or
(2) Replace the rudder cable if elongation of the cable is
evident.
(e) 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.
(f) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(g) Questions or technical information related to EXTRA Service
Bulletin No. 300-3-95, Issue: B, dated May 12, 1998, should be
directed to EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, D-46569
Hunxe, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: (0 28 58) 91 37-00;
facsimile: (0 28 58) 91 37-30. 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.
(h) The inspections, modifications, or replacements required by
this AD shall be done in accordance with EXTRA Service Bulletin No.
300-3-95, Issue: B, dated May 12, 1998. 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-46569
Hunxe, Federal Republic of 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 95-
443 EXTRA, dated November 29, 1995.
(i) This amendment becomes effective on December 28, 1998.
[[Page 64605]]
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 10, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-31013 Filed 11-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P