[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60106-60108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22581]


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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, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); Reopening of 
the comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to revise an earlier proposed 
airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to all LET a.s. (formerly 
LET n.p.) (LET) Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes. The earlier NPRM would 
have required 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. The earlier NPRM resulted from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for the Czech Republic. The MCAI is a report of 
one occurrence of cracks in the attachment of control levers on the 
control bridge. Since FAA issued the NPRM, FAA has received and 
evaluated new service information that eliminates the repetitive 
inspection, requires replacement of parts, and changes the serial 
number effectivity. Since these actions impose an additional burden 
over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to 
allow the public the chance to comment on these additional actions.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any

[[Page 60107]]

comments on this proposed rule on or before November 8, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [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 text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from LET a.s., Kunovice 686 04, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 632 55 
44 96; facsimile: +420 632 56 41 13. You may also view this information 
at the Rules Docket at the address above.

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? The FAA invites comments on 
this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the proposed rule's docket 
number and submit your comments to the address specified under the 
caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before 
the closing date. We may amend this proposed rule in light of comments 
received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions 
is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed 
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking 
action.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may 
view all comments we receive before and after the closing date of the 
rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket 
that summarizes each contact we have with the public that concerns the 
substantive parts of this proposed AD.
    How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want FAA to 
acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, you must include a 
self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard 
back to you.

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 control 
bridge (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 control bridge for the sailplane could lead to loss of 
sailplane control.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to all LET a.s. (formerly LET n.p.) 
(LET) Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes. This proposal was published in 
the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 
9, 2004 (69 FR 10939). The NPRM proposed to 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.
    You would have to do the proposed actions following Letecke Zavody 
Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13/095a, dated October 18, 2001.
    Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested 
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not 
receive any comments on the NPRM or our estimate of the cost impact 
upon the public.
    Since issuance of the NPRM, LET has issued the new Letecke Zavody 
Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13AC/014a, dated July 17, 2003. This service 
bulletin eliminates the repetitive inspection, requires the replacement 
of parts, and changes the serial number effectivity.
    The CAA has not amended the Czech AD to reflect this service 
information. However, FAA has evaluated the new service information and 
determined that the NPRM should be changed to reflect the requirements 
in the new LET service bulletin.

The Supplemental NPRM

    How will the changes to the NPRM impact the public? Proposing to 
eliminate the repetitive inspection, require the replacement of parts, 
and changing the serial number effectivity goes beyond the scope of 
what was already proposed and imposes an additional burden on the 
public. Therefore, we are issuing a supplemental NPRM and reopening the 
comment period to allow the public additional time to comment.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On 
July 10, 2002, FAA 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 relate to special flight permits, 
alternative methods of compliance, and altered products. 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.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes 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 do the proposed replacement:

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                                                                                         Total cost
                        Labor cost                           Parts cost    Total cost      on U.S.
                                                                          per airplane    operators
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7 workhours x $65 per hour = $455.........................       $2,000        $2,455       $12,275
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[[Page 60108]]

Regulatory Impact

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? The regulations 
proposed herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this 
proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive 
Order 13132.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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) if 
promulgated, 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 draft regulatory 
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

LET a.s. (Formerly LET n.p.): 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 November 8, 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, 008605, 008606, and 028902, that are 
certificated in any category:

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of a report of one occurrence of 
cracks in the attachment of control levers on the control bridge. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to correct cracks in 
the bedding of the front and rear control levers, which could result 
in failure of the control bridge 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:

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             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
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(1) Replace the original control  Within the next 25  Follow the WORK
 bridge (Drawing No. A741 210N)    hours time-in-      PROCEDURE
 with the new strengthened         service (TIS)       paragraph of LET
 control column mounting bridge    after the           Letecke Zavody
 (Drawing No. A740 370N).          effective date of   Mandatory
                                   this AD, unless     Bulletin No.:
                                   already done.       L13AC/014a, dated
                                                       July 17, 2003.
(2) Do not install any original   As of the           Not Applicable.
 control bridge (Drawing No.       effective date of
 A741 210N).                       this AD.
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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.

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 October 1, 2004.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-22581 Filed 10-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P