[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 441-443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-46]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-50-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CENTRAIR 101 Series Gliders

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 
gliders that have modification 101-24 (major cockpit configuration 
equipped on all gliders manufactured since 1990) incorporated, and do 
not have modification 101-21 (minor modifications to this cockpit 
configuration) incorporated. The proposed AD would require securing an 
attachment lug to the battery discharge warning device on the glider 
bracket. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for France. The

[[Page 442]]

actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent elevator 
flight control interference caused by an unsecured battery discharge 
warning device, which could result in reduced or loss of glider 
control.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 11, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-50-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, Aerodome--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, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 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-50-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-50-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 all CENTRAIR 101 series gliders that have 
modification 101-24 (major cockpit configuration equipped on all 
gliders manufactured since 1990) incorporated, and do not have 
modification 101-21 (minor modifications to this cockpit configuration) 
incorporated. The DGAC reports that the battery discharge warning 
device was not secure during a routine inspection on one of the 
affected gliders.
    If the battery discharge warning device is not secure on the 
bracket of the glider, the pilot could experience a loss of elevator 
control with no warning of the loss of power.

Relevant Service Information

    CENTRAIR has issued Service Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 1, dated 
May 20, 1997, which specifies procedures for securing an attachment lug 
to the battery discharge warning device on the glider bracket.
    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD 97-149(A), dated July 16, 1997, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these gliders in France.

The FAA's Determination

    These glider models are manufactured in France and are 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 gliders of the same type 
design that are registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing 
AD action. The proposed AD would require securing an attachment lug 
(part number $Y986A or an FAA-approved equivalent part number) to the 
battery discharge warning device on the glider bracket.
    Accomplishment of the proposed action would be required in 
accordance with CENTRAIR Service Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 1, dated 
May 20, 1997.
    The affected gliders have modification 101-24 (major cockpit 
configuration equipped on all gliders manufactured since 1990) 
incorporated, and do not have modification 101-21 (minor modifications 
to this cockpit configuration) incorporated.

Compliance Time of the Proposed AD

    The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The unsafe condition described 
by the proposed AD is not a result of repetitive glider operation. The 
loss of battery power to the elevator control system could occur 
regardless of whether the glider is in flight. Therefore, to assure 
that the above-referenced condition is corrected on all of the affected 
gliders within a reasonable period of time without inadvertently 
grounding any gliders, a compliance schedule based upon calendar time 
instead of hours TIS is proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 63 gliders in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 
workhours per glider to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $15 per glider. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $16,065, 
or $255 per glider.

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

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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-50-AD.

    Applicability: Models 101, 101A, 101P, and 101AP gliders, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category; that have modification 
101-24 (major cockpit configuration equipped on all gliders 
manufactured since 1990) incorporated, and do not have modification 
101-21 (minor modifications to this cockpit configuration) 
incorporated.

    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 3 calendar months after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent elevator flight control interference caused by an 
unsecured battery discharge warning device, which could result in 
reduced or loss of glider control, accomplish the following:
    (a) Secure an attachment lug (part number $Y986A or an FAA-
approved equivalent part number) to the battery discharge warning 
device on the glider bracket, in accordance with CENTRAIR Service 
Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 1, dated May 20, 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, 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 CENTRAIR 
Service Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 1, dated May 20, 1997, should 
be directed to S.N. CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France; 
telephone: 02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. 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 97-
149(A), dated July 16, 1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 29, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-46 Filed 1-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U