[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