[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34406-34408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13839]



[[Page 34406]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0180; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-004-AD; 
Amendment 39-17869; AD 2014-12-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-11-10 for 
Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' 
Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' sailplanes. 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 fatigue damage of the welded joint between the airbrake 
torque tube and the airbrake control system lever located inside the 
fuselage. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 22, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 22, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0180; or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Allstar PZL 
Glider, Sp. z o. o., ul. Cieszynska 325, 43-300 Bielsko-Biala, Poland; 
telephone: +48 33 812 50 26; fax: +48 33 812 3739; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://szd.com.pl/en/products/szd-50-3-puchacz. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to Przedsiebiorstwo 
Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' airplanes. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 25, 2014 (79 FR 
16248), and proposed to supersede AD 2004-11-10, Amendment 39-13656 (69 
FR 31872, June 8, 2004).
    The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country. The MCAI states that:

Several occurrences of airbrake torque tube failure were reported on 
SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' sailplanes. In all cases, as a result of 
disruption of the welded joint between torque tube and the lever, 
the broken torque tube detached from the lever located in the 
fuselage. The result of subsequent investigations identified fatigue 
damage, as a consequence of periodical striking load exceeding the 
established maximum value, to be a possible failure cause. 
Additionally, corrosion damage was identified at internal surface of 
the opened tube.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, would inhibit the 
function of the airbrake, possibly resulting in reduced control of 
the sailplane.
Prompted by these findings, Allstar PZL issued Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. BE-052/SZD-50-3/2003 to provide inspection instructions. CAO of 
Poland issued AD SP-0052-2003-A to require a one-time inspection of 
the airbrake torque tube in the area of welded joint in accordance 
with that SB.
Since that AD was issued, Allstar PZL issued SB No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/
2013 to introduce repetitive inspections and accomplishment 
instructions for reinforced torque tube inspections.
For the reasons described above, this AD supersedes CAO of Poland AD 
SP-0052-2003-A and requires repetitive inspections of the airbrake 
torque tube and, depending on findings, replacement with a 
serviceable part.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0180-0002.

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 relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 16248, March 25, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 16248, March 25, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 5 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 5 work-hours for the annual 
inspection of sailplanes equipped with the old version torque tube; 1 
work-hour for the annual inspection of sailplanes equipped with the new 
version torque tube; and 5 work-hours for the 1,000-hour annual 
inspection of sailplanes equipped with the new version torque tube. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 5 work-hours and require parts costing $875, for a cost of 
$1,300 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

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.

[[Page 34407]]

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 the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0180; 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) 647-5527) 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

    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 removing Amendment AD 2004-11-10, 
Amendment 39-13656 (69 FR 31872, June 8, 2004) and adding the following 
new AD:

2014-12-08 Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa 
``PZL-Bielsko'': Amendment 39-17869; Docket No. FAA-2014-0180; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-004-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 22, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2004-11-10, Amendment 39-13656 (69 FR 
31872; June 8, 2004).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne 
Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' sailplanes, 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) originated 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 fatigue damage of the welded 
joint between the airbrake torque tube and the airbrake control 
system lever located inside the fuselage. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct fatigue damage of the airbrake torque tube and 
the airbrake control system lever, which may cause a malfunction of 
the airbrake, resulting in loss of control of the sailplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (f)(6) of this AD:
    (1) For sailplanes equipped with the old version torque tube, 
with or without reinforced corner: Initially within 30 days after 
July 22, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) and repetitively 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 12 months or 100 hours 
time-in-service (TIS), whichever occurs first, do a detailed 
inspection of the airbrake torque tube following the inspection 
procedures in paragraph (2)(b) in Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. 
Service Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 ``PUCHACZ'', Revision A, 
dated September 16, 2013.
    (2) For sailplanes equipped with the new type torque tube, with 
reinforced corner: Initially within 30 days after July 22, 2014 (the 
effective date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed every 12 months or 100 hours TIS, whichever occurs 
first, visually inspect the welded joint of the airbrake torque tube 
following the conditions of inspection, first bulleted item of 
paragraph (2)(a)(2), in Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. Service 
Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 ``PUCHACZ'', Revision A, dated 
September 16, 2013.
    (3) For sailplanes equipped with the new type torque tube, with 
reinforced corner: During the first 1,000-hour inspection after July 
22, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), and then repetitively at 
each scheduled 1,000-hour inspection, do a detailed inspection of 
the welded joint of the airbrake torque tube following the 
inspection procedures in paragraph (2)(b) in Allstar PZL Glider Sp. 
z o.o. Service Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 ``PUCHACZ'', 
Revision A, dated September 16, 2013.
    (4) For all sailplanes: If during any inspection required by 
paragraph (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD any damage is found 
as detailed in paragraph (2)(c) of PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. Service 
Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 ``PUCHACZ'', Revision A, dated 
September 16, 2013, before further flight, replace the airbrake 
torque tube as described in the Post-inspection procedures, 
paragraph (2)(c), of Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. Service Bulletin 
No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 ``PUCHACZ'', Revision A, dated September 
16, 2013.
    (5) For all sailplanes: Replacement of an airbrake torque tube, 
as required by paragraph (f)(4) of this AD, does not constitute 
terminating action for inspection requirements of paragraphs (f)(1), 
(f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD.
    (6) For all sailplanes: Compliance with the requirements of 
paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD can be demonstrated 
by incorporating the applicable required inspections and follow-on 
corrective actions, as specified in Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. 
Service Bulletin No. BE-062/SZD-50-3/2013 ``PUCHACZ'', Revision A, 
dated September 16, 2013, into the approved instructions for 
continued airworthiness (ICA) of the maintenance program.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. 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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2014-0015, dated January 14, 2014, for related information. The MCAI 
can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0180-0002.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this

[[Page 34408]]

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o. Service Bulletin No. BE-062/
SZD-50-3/2013 ``PUCHACZ'', Revision A, dated September 16, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa 
``PZL-Bielsko'' Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' service information 
identified in this AD, contact Allstar PZL Glider, Sp. z o. o., ul. 
Cieszynska 325, 43-300 Bielsko-Biala, Poland; telephone: +48 33 812 
50 26; fax: +48 33 812 3739; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://szd.com.pl/en/products/szd-50-3-puchacz.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 6, 2014.
Timothy Smyth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-13839 Filed 6-16-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P