[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 179 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55466-55468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23576]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-49-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 certain S.N. CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. The 
proposed AD would require you to inspect the airbrake control system 
for cracks; and if cracks are detected, replace the airbrake control 
system. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for the France. The actions specified in the proposed AD are intended 
to detect cracks in the airbrake control system and replace cracked 
parts with parts of improved design. A crack in the airbrake control 
system could prevent the pilot from using the airbrake system.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule by October 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-49-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. You may read comments at this location between 8 
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
    You may get service information that applies to the proposed AD 
from S.N. CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: 
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. You may read this 
information at the Rules Docket at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite your comments on 
the proposed rule. You may send whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and 
send your comments in triplicate to the address specified under the 
caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received by the 
closing date specified above, before acting on the proposed rule. We 
may change the proposals contained in this notice because of the 
comments received.
    Are there any specific portions of the proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
rule that might require a change to the proposed rule. You may read all 
comments we receive. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that 
summarizes each FAA contact with the public that concerns the 
substantive parts of this proposal.
    The FAA is reviewing the writing style we currently use in 
regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of 
June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate 
more clearly with the public. We want to read your comments on the ease 
of understanding this document, and any other suggestions you might 
have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect you. You 
can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and the 
plain language initiative at http://www.faa.gov/language/.
    How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want us to 
acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket No. 2000-CE-49-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard 
back to you.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The Direction Gonorale de 
l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for 
France, recently told the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on 
certain S.N. CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. The DGAC reports that a 
failure analysis of the welded parts of airbrake arms revealed that 
cracks could occur in these parts.
    What happens if you do not correct the condition? This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in undetected cracks. Consequently, a 
crack in the airbrake control system could prevent the pilot from using 
the airbrake system.

Relevant Service Information

    Is there service information that applies to this subject? S.N. 
CENTRAIR has issued Service Bulletin No. 101-16, Revision 3, dated 
February 2, 1999.
    What are the provisions of this service bulletin? The service 
bulletin describes procedures for:

--Inspecting the airbrake control system for cracks; and
--Replacing the airbrake control system.

    What actions did the French take? The DGAC issued French AD Number 
1995-261(A) R3, dated January 26, 2000, to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these gliders in France.
    Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement? 
S.N. CENTRAIR manufactured this glider model in France. The FAA type 
certificated the glider model for operation in the United States under 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Complying with this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC kept FAA informed about the 
failure analysis.

[[Page 55467]]

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the 
Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? The FAA has examined the findings of the 
DGAC; reviewed all available information, including the service 
information referenced above; and determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other S.N. CENTRAIR 101 series gliders of the same type 
design;
--These gliders should have the actions specified in the above service 
bulletin incorporated; and
--The FAA should take AD action to correct this unsafe condition.

    What does this proposed AD require? This proposed AD requires you 
to:

--Inspect the airbrake control system for cracks; and
--If cracks are detected, replace the airbrake control system.

    What are the differences between the French AD and the proposed AD? 
The French AD requires inspection before the next flight. The FAA 
requires inspection within 60 days after the effective date of the AD. 
Also, the French require replacement of the applicable parts; FAA 
requires replacement only if you find cracks during the inspection. The 
proposed AD requires a repetitive inspection during each 12 calendar 
months inspection. You may stop this repetitive inspection requirement 
if the part is replaced.
    Why is the compliance time in calendar time? The compliance time of 
the proposed AD is in calendar time instead of hours time-in-service 
(TIS). The average monthly use of the affected sailplanes ranges 
throughout the fleet. For example, one owner may operate the sailplane 
25 hours TIS in one week, while another operator may operate the 
sailplane 25 hours TIS in one year. In order to ensure that all of the 
owners/operators of the affected sailplane have inspected the airbrake 
control system within a reasonable amount of time, the FAA is proposing 
a compliance time of 60 calendar days after the effective date of this 
AD.

Cost Impact

    This proposed AD impacts how many gliders? We estimate the proposed 
AD would affect 41 gliders in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of the proposed inspection for the affected 
gliders on the U.S. Register? We estimate that it would take about 2 
workhours for each glider to do the proposed inspection, at an average 
labor rate of $60 an hour. Based on the cost factors presented above, 
we estimate the total cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. 
operators to be $4,920, or $120 for each glider.
    We estimate that it would take about 4 workhours to do the proposed 
replacement of a cracked part, at an average labor rate of $60 an hour. 
We estimate the replacement parts cost is about $100. Based on the cost 
factors presented above, we estimate the total cost impact of the 
proposed replacement on U.S. operators to be $340 for each glider.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this proposed AD impact relations between Federal and State 
governments? The proposed regulations 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. We have 
determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? 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 Department of Transportation 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if put into effect, 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. We have placed a 
copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action in the 
Rules Docket. You may get a copy of it 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

    Therefore, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

S.N. Centrair: Docket No. 2000-CE-49-AD.
    (a) What gliders are affected by this AD? Models 101, 101A, 
101P, and 101AP gliders, all serial numbers up to but not including 
101A0628, certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above gliders on the U.S. Register must comply with this 
AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? Our intent is the actions 
specified in the AD detect cracks in the airbrake control system and 
replace cracked parts with parts of improved design.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must do the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions              Compliance times         Procedures
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(1) Inspect the airbrake      Within the next 60    Do this action
 ctronol system for cracks.    calendar days after   following S.N.
                               the effective date    Centrair Service
                               of the AD and then    Bulletin No. 101-
                               every 12 calendar     16, Revision 3,
                               months inspection.    dated February 2,
                                                     1999.
(2) If you detect cracks,     Before further        Do this action
 replace the airbrake          flight after the      following the S.N.
 control system.               inspection.           Centrair
                                                     maintenance manual.

[[Page 55468]]

 
    (i) For sailplanes
     equipped with manual
     aileron and airbrake
     control systems,
     install S.N. Centrair
     part number (P/N)
     $YO57D or an FAA-
     approved equivalent
     part number.
    (ii) For sailplanes
     equipped with an
     automatic aileron and
     airbrake control
     system, install S.N.
     Centrair P/N $Y818E or
     an FAA-approved
     equivalent part number.
(3) You may stop the          (i) Before further    Not applicable.
 repetitive inspection         flight if found
 requirement of this AD by     cracked as required
 replacing the air brake       by paragraph (d)(1)
 control system with the       of this AD; or.
 applicable part referenced   (ii) At any time if
 in this AD.                   the part is not
                               cracked.
(4) You may not install any   As of the effective   Not applicable.
 airbrake control system       date of this AD.
 that is not of the
 applicable part numbers
 referenced in paragraphs
 (d)(2)(i) and (d)(2)(ii) of
 this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate approves your 
alternative. Send your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each glider identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 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 (e) of this AD. You should 
include in the request an assessment of the effect of the 
modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if you have not eliminated the unsafe 
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? You can contact Mike Kiesov, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; 
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the glider to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your glider to a location where 
you can carry out the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from S.N. 
Centrair, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: 
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. You may read these 
documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 2: French AD 1995-261(A) R3, dated January 26, 2000, 
addresses this subject.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 7, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-23576 Filed 9-13-00; 8:45 am]
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