[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 1999)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 34528-34530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16279]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-120-AD; Amendment 39-11210; AD 99-14-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; LET Aeronautical Works Model L33 SOLO 
Sailplanes

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 LET Aeronautical Works (LET) Model L33 SOLO 
sailplanes. This AD requires replacing the main wing attachment and 
wing spar root pins and modifying the corresponding area. This AD is 
the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for the Czech Republic. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent structural failure 
of the wing attachments caused by the current design configuration, 
which could result in the wing separating from the sailplane with 
consequent loss of control.

DATES: Effective August 17, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 17, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from LET Aeronautical Works, 686 04 Kunovice, Czech Republic; 
telephone: +420 632 51 11 11; facsimile: +420 632 613 52. 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-120-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.


[[Page 34529]]


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:

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 LET Model L33 
SOLO sailplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 14, 1999 (64 FR 18384). The NPRM 
proposed to require replacing the main wing attachment and wing spar 
root pins and modifying the corresponding area. Accomplishment of the 
proposed actions as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with 
LET Mandatory Bulletin Number L33/008a, dated January 20, 1998.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the Czech 
Republic.
    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 20 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 35 work hours per 
sailplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $900 per 
sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $60,000, or $3,000 per sailplane.

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:

99-14-02  Let Aeronautical Works: Amendment 39-11210; Docket No. 98-
CE-120-AD.

    Applicability: The following serial numbers of Model L33 SOLO 
sailplanes, certificated in any category:

930101 through 930205; 940206 through 940308;
940310 through 940316; 950318 through 950401;
950405 and 950406; 960402 through 960404;
960407, 960408, and 960410

    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 (d) 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 indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent structural failure of the wing attachments caused by 
the current design configuration, which could result in the wing 
separating from the sailplane with consequent loss of control, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Upon accumulating 1,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) on each 
wing attachment or within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the main wing 
attachment and wing spar root pins and modify the corresponding 
area. Accomplish these actions in accordance with the Work Procedure 
section of Mandatory Bulletin Number L33/008a, dated January 20, 
1998.

    Note 2: When shipping the parts required to accomplish the 
actions of this AD, LET Aeronautical Works will also send a service 
technician to train or assist mechanics within the geographic 
locations of the Model L33 SOLO sailplane owners.

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any of the affected sailplanes, main wing attachments or wing 
spar root pins without accomplishing the modification specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, in accordance with the Work Procedure 
section of Mandatory Bulletin Number L33/008a, dated January 20, 
1998.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec. 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.
    (d) 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, 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.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to LET Mandatory 
Bulletin Number L33/008a, dated January 20, 1998, should be directed 
to LET Aeronautical Works, 686 04 Kunovice, Czech Republic; 
telephone: +420 632 51 11 11; facsimile: +420 632 613 52. 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.
    (f) The replacements and modification required by this AD shall 
be done in

[[Page 34530]]

accordance with LET Mandatory Bulletin Number L33/008a, dated 
January 20, 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 LET 
Aeronautical Works, 686 04 Kunovice, Czech Republic. 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 Czech Republic AD 
CCA-T-AD-1-024/98, dated March 23, 1998.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 17, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 18, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-16279 Filed 6-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U