[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10939-10941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5264]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 46 / Tuesday, March 9, 2004 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 10939]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; LET a.s. Model Blanik L-13 AC 
Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all LET a.s. (formerly LET n.p.) (LET) Model Blanik L-13 AC 
sailplanes. This proposed AD would require you to repetitively inspect 
the bedding of the front and rear control levers for cracks, and, if 
any cracks are found, replace with parts found free of cracks. This 
proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the Czech 
Republic. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct cracks 
in the bedding of the front and rear control levers, which could result 
in failure of the bridge of controls for the sailplane. This failure 
could lead to loss of sailplane control.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by April 16, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:
     By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
     By fax: (816) 329-3771.
     By e-mail: [email protected]. Comments sent 
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD'' in the subject 
line. If you send comments electronically as attached electronic files, 
the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII.
    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from LET n.p., Kunovice 686 04, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 632 55 
44 96; facsimile: +420 632 56 41 13.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD 
Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you 
want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-
addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We 
will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the Czech 
Republic, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on 
certain LET Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes. The CAA reports one 
occurrence of cracks in the attachment of control levers on the bridge 
of controls (Drawing No. A71 210N) on a Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplane 
after 130 hours time-in-service (TIS) of aerobatics. The cracks are due 
to material fatigue.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? 
Failure of the bridge of controls for the sailplane could lead to loss 
of sailplane control.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? LET has 
issued Letecke Zavody Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13/095a, dated October 
18, 2001.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:

--Inspecting the bedding of the front and rear control levers (Drawing 
(DWG) No. A741 215N and DWG No. A741 210N) for cracks; and
--if any cracks are found, replacing with parts found free of cracks.

    What action did the CAA take? The CAA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued Czech AD Number CAA-AD-090/2001, dated 
October 25, 2001, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
sailplanes in the Czech Republic.
    Did the CAA inform the United States under the bilateral 
airworthiness agreement? These LET Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes are 
manufactured in the Czech Republic 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.
    Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept us 
informed of the situation described above.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? We have examined the CAA's findings, reviewed 
all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary 
for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in 
the United States.
    Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other LET Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes of the same 
type design that are registered in the United States, we are proposing 
AD action to detect and correct cracks in the bedding of the front and 
rear control levers, which could result in failure of the bridge of 
controls for the sailplane.

[[Page 10940]]

    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletin.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On 
July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation 
now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many sailplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 5 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs 
to accomplish this proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Total cost
              Labor cost                      Parts cost             per         Total cost  on U.S. operators
                                                                  sailplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $65 per hour = $65......  Not Applicable..........          $65  $65 x 5 = $325
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since the replacement of parts will vary based on the damage found 
as a result of the proposed inspection, we are unable to estimate the 
costs to do any necessary replacements.

Regulatory Findings

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined 
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under 
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial 
direct effect 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.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD 
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

    LET a.s.: Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) by April 16, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes, serial 
numbers 988601, 988603, 988604, 008605, and 008606, that are 
certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the 
Czech Republic. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
detect and correct cracks in the bedding of the front and rear 
control levers, which could result in failure of the bridge of 
controls for the sailplane. This failure could lead to loss of 
sailplane control.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the bedding of    Within the next 25    Follow the WORK
 the front and rear control    hours time-in-        PROCEDURE paragraph
 levers (Drawing (DWG) No.     service (TIS) after   of LET Letecke
 A741 215N and DWG No. A741    the effective date    Zavody Mandatory
 210N) for cracks.             of this AD, unless    Bulletin No.: L13/
                               already done.         095a, dated October
                               Repetitively          18, 2001.
                               inspect thereafter
                               at every 25 hours
                               TIS.
-----------------------------
(2) If any cracks are found   Before further        Follow the WORK
 during any inspection         flight after any      PROCEDURE paragraph
 required by paragraph         inspection required   of LET Letecke
 (e)(1) of this AD, replace    by paragraph (e)(1)   Zavody Mandatory
 with parts shown free of      of this AD..          Bulletin No.: L13/
 cracks. Repetitive                                  095a, dated October
 inspections are still                               18, 2001, and the
 required.                                           applicable
                                                     sailplane
                                                     maintenance manual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved 
alternative methods of compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

[[Page 10941]]

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

    (g) You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD 
from LET a.s., Kunovice 686 04, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 632 
55 44 96; facsimile: +420 632 56 41 13. You may view these documents 
at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) Czech Airworthiness Directive CAA-AD-090/2001, dated October 
25, 2001, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 2, 2004.
Sandra J. Campbell,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5264 Filed 3-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P