[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 50 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12064-12065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4541]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26497; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-082-AD; 
Amendment 39-14989; AD 2007-06-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-
Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' 
Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    Some cases of turnbuckle adjusting screws fatigue failure have 
occurred, due to lateral load component applied by pilot's foot. 
Such events may lead to rudder and pedals disconnection.

    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 19, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 19, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 5, 2007 (72 
FR 485). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states that some cases of turnbuckle 
adjusting screws fatigue failure have occurred, due to lateral load 
component applied by pilot's foot. Such events may lead to rudder and 
pedals disconnection.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 8 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product to 
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $100 per product. 
Where the service information lists required parts costs that are 
covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge 
for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected 
parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators 
to be $2,080, or $260 per product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (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

[[Page 12065]]

under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-06-08 Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa 
``PZL-Bielsko'': Amendment 39-14989; Docket No. FAA-2006-26497; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-082-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 
19, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' Gliders, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Some cases of turnbuckle adjusting screws fatigue failure have 
occurred, due to lateral load component applied by pilot's foot. 
Such events may lead to rudder and pedals disconnection.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, within the next 3 calendar months after 
April 19, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), install the extra 
pull rod between the rear pedals and turnbuckle adjusting screws 
following Allstar PZL Glider Sp. Z o.o. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. BE-057/SZD-50-3/2006 ``PUCHACZ'', dated October 16, 2006, except 
as specified in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(4) of this AD. For 
owners/operators that have installed an additional short cable 
between the rear seat pedal and turnbuckle prior to Allstar PZL's 
issuance of Mandatory Service Bulletin No. BE-057/SZD-50-3/2006 
``PUCHACZ'', dated October 16, 2006, this additional short cable 
assembly must comply with the requirements of Allstar PZL Glider Sp. 
Z o.o. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. BE-057/SZD-50-3/2006 
``PUCHACZ'', dated October 16, 2006. Upon completion, a logbook 
entry is required.
    (1) Paragraph 1 of Allstar PZL Glider Sp. Z o.o. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. BE-057/SZD-50-3/2006 ``PUCHACZ'', dated October 
16, 2006, describes the dimension length of the extra segment pull 
rod to be 140 mm. Modify this to read: ``140 mm (5.5118 inches).''
    (2) Paragraph 4 of Allstar PZL Glider Sp. Z o.o. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. BE-057/SZD-50-3/2006 ``PUCHACZ'', dated October 
16, 2006, describes the dimensions of the short pull rod to be 3 mm 
diameter core and approximately 140 mm. Modify this to read: ``3 mm 
(0.1181 inch) and 140 mm (5.5118 inches).''
    (3) Paragraph 4.4 of Allstar PZL Glider Sp. Z o.o. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. BE-057/SZD-50-3/2006 ``PUCHACZ'', dated October 
16, 2006, describes a 1 mm diameter cotter pin. Modify this to read: 
``1 mm (0.03937 inch).''
    (4) Paragraph 5 of Allstar PZL Glider Sp. Z o.o. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. BE-057/SZD-50-3/2006 ``PUCHACZ'', dated October 
16, 2006, reads, ``The parts necessary for modification are 
available at Allstar PZL Glider, or substitute aircraft parts may be 
used--capable to withstand a load of 6100N at minimum.'' Change this 
to read: ``The parts necessary for modification are available at 
Allstar PZL Glider, or substitute aircraft parts may be used--
capable to withstand a load of 6100N (1,372 lbs) at minimum. If a 
substitute part is used, the hole diameter specified in Figure 1 of 
the service bulletin as `[Oslash] 6 Hg' means a 6 mm (0.2362 inch) 
diameter hole with a dimensional tolerance of +0.03 mm (+0.0012 
inch). Contact the manufacturer for further details.''

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: Paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(4) of this AD have been 
added to clarify certain procedures in the service bulletin.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et.seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (g) You must use Allstar PZL Glider Sp. Z o.o. Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. BE-057/SZD-50-3/2006 ``PUCHACZ'', dated October 16, 
2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
AllStar PZL Glider Sp. zo.o., ul. Cieszy[nacute]ska 325, 43 300 
Bielsko-Biala; telephone: +48 (0)33 8125021; fax: +48 (0)33 8123739; 
e-mail: [email protected].
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 7, 2007.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-4541 Filed 3-14-07; 8:45 am]
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