[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 751-753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-142]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-101-AD; Amendment 39-10977; AD 99-01-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Uninsured Relative Workshop Inc.
Vector Parachute Systems
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all The Uninsured Relative Workshop Inc. (doing business as
and referred to herein as Relative Workshop) vector parachute systems
that were manufactured between January 1, 1996, and September 10, 1998.
This AD requires inspecting the amp fittings on the end of the
breakaway housing for proper swaging, and re-swaging any incorrectly
swaged fittings using the Nicopress or Swage-It swaging
tool. This AD is the result of a quality control problem on Relative
Workshop vector parachute systems. In particular, a loose amp fitting
was found on the breakaway housing during packing of one of these
vector parachute systems. Further analysis reveals that the amp
fittings on the end of the stainless steel breakaway housing were
improperly swaged, and that this condition could exist on any of the
2,127 parachute systems that were manufactured during the above-
referenced time period. The actions specified by this AD are intended
to prevent the amp fittings from coming off the stainless steel
breakaway housing, which could result in an unintentional partial
breakaway of the main chute and interference with the deployment of the
reserve parachute.
DATES: Effective January 29, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 29, 1999.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before February 26, 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-101-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from
Relative Workshop, 1645 North Lexington Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32724;
telephone: (904) 736-7589; facsimile: (904) 734-7537. 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-101-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: Donald J. Young, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895
Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770)
703-6079; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA has received information regarding a quality control
problem on Relative Workshop vector parachute systems. A loose amp
fitting on the breakaway housing was found during packing of one of
these Relative Workshop vector parachute systems. Further analysis
reveals that the amp fittings on the end of the stainless steel
breakaway housing were improperly swaged. This problem could exist on
any of the 2,127 Relative Workshop vector parachute system that were
manufactured between January 1, 1996, and September 10, 1998.
This condition, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner,
could result in an unintentional partial breakaway of the main chute
and
[[Page 752]]
interference with deployment of the reserve parachute.
Relevant Service Information
Relative Workshop has issued Product Service Bulletin #091098-B,
dated September 10, 1998, which specifies procedures for inspecting the
amp fittings on the end of the breakaway housing for proper swaging,
and re-swaging any incorrectly swaged fittings using the
Nicopress or Swage-It swaging tool.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incident described above, including the
above-referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD
action should be taken to prevent the amp fittings from coming off the
stainless steel breakaway housing, which could result in an
unintentional partial breakaway of the main chute and interference with
the deployment of the reserve parachute.
Explanation of the Provisions of the AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other The Uninsured Relative Workshop Inc. vector
parachute systems that were manufactured between January 1, 1996, and
September 10, 1998, the FAA is issuing an AD. This AD requires
inspecting the amp fittings on the end of the breakaway housing for
proper swaging, and re-swaging any incorrectly swaged fittings using
the Nicopress or Swage-It swaging tool. Accomplishment of the
actions specified in this AD is required in accordance with Relative
Workshop Product Service Bulletin #091098-B, dated September 10, 1998.
Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for public
prior comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 will be considered,
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 98-CE-101-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in parachutes, and is not a significant regulatory action
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules
Docket.
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:
99-01-11 The Uninsured Relative Workshop Inc. (doing business as
and referred to herein as Relative Workshop): Amendment 39-10977;
Docket No. 98-CE-101-AD.
Applicability: All Vector II and III Parachute Systems That Were
Manufactured Between January 1, 1996, and September 10, 1998.
Note 1: This AD applies to any parachute system referenced in
the Applicability section of this AD, regardless of whether it has
been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For those parachute systems 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 prior to the next jump after the effective
date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent the amp fittings from coming off the stainless steel
breakaway housing, which could result in an unintentional partial
breakaway of the main chute and interference with the deployment of
the reserve parachute, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the amp fittings on the end of the breakaway housing
for proper swaging, and re-swage any incorrectly swaged fittings
using the Nicopress or Swage-It swaging tool. Accomplish these
actions in accordance with Relative Workshop Product Service
Bulletin #091098-B, dated September 10, 1998.
Note 2: The above-referenced service bulletin may be obtained
from the manufacturer at the address in paragraph (d) of this AD or
through the Internet at ``http://www.relativeworkshop.com/''.
[[Page 753]]
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall put
into service any of the affected parachute systems, unless the
parachute system has been inspected and modified (as necessary), as
specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.
(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, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta,
Georgia 30349. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate
FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to
the Manager, Atlanta ACO.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.
(d) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be
done in accordance with Relative Workshop Product Service Bulletin
#091098-B, dated September 10, 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
Relative Workshop, 1645 North Lexington Avenue, DeLand, Florida
32724. 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on January 29, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certfication Service.
[FR Doc. 99-142 Filed 1-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U