[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11473-11475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04542]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-4233; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-003-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Blanik Limited Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Blanik Limited Models L-13 Blanik and L-13 AC Blanik gliders (type
certificate previously by LET Aeronautical Works) that would supersede
AD 99-19-33. This proposed AD results from mandatory 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 lack of
distinct color marking of the elevator drive. We are issuing this
proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
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and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Blanik Limited, 2nd Floor Beaux Lane House, Mercer Street Lower, Dublin
2, Republic of Ireland; phone: +420 733 662 194; email:
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.blanik.aero/%EF%BB%BFcustomer_support. You may review 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.
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-2016-
4233; 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 this proposed AD, 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.
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:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-4233;
Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-003-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On November 8, 1999, we issued AD 99-19-33, Amendment 39-11320 (64
FR 50440; September 17, 1999) (``99-19-33''). That AD required actions
intended to address an unsafe condition on BLANIK LIMITED Models L-13
Blanik gliders and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is
the aviation authority for the Czech Republic. That MCAI (AD CAA-AD-4-
099/98, dated December 30, 1998) was issued to correct an unsafe
condition for EVECTOR, spol. s.r.o. Models L 13 SEH VIVAT and L 13 SDM
VIVAT gliders and BLANIK LIMITED Models L-13 Blanik and L-13 AC Blanik
gliders. The MCAI states:
Colour marking of elevator drive is not inspected or re-painted
during sailplane operation. The elevator drive is asymmetrical and
improper installation causes significant elevator deflection
changes.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
4233.
A review of records since issuance of AD 99-19-33 revealed that the
FAA inadvertently did not address this MCAI for the EVECTOR, spol.
s.r.o. Models L 13 SEH VIVAT and L 13 SDM VIVAT gliders and the BLANIK
LIMITED Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders. This proposed AD would supersede
AD 99-19-13 to add the BLANIK LIMITED Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders to
the applicability of the AD.
The FAA will address the EVECTOR, spol. s.r.o. Models L 13 SEH
VIVAT and L 13 SDM VIVAT gliders in another AD action.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
LET Aeronautical Works has issued LET Mandatory Bulletin MB No.:
L13/082a, dated December 10, 1998. The service information describes
procedures for painting the left arm of the elevator drive. This
service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 124 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $10 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $11,780, or $95 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 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(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
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(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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 39-11320 (64 FR
50440; September 17, 1999), and adding the following new AD:
Blanik Limited: Docket No. FAA-2016-4233; Directorate Identifier
2016-CE-003-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by April 18, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 99-19-33, Amendment 39-11320 (64 FR 50440;
September 17, 1999) (``AD 99-19-33'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to BLANIK LIMITED Models L-13 Blanik and L-13 AC
Blanik gliders (type certificate previously by LET Aeronautical
Works), 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 mandatory 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 lack of distinct
color marking of the elevator drive. We are issuing this AD to
prevent inadvertent backward installation of the elevator drive,
which could cause significant elevator deflection changes and lead
to loss of control.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, including all subparagraphs:
(1) Model L-13 Blanik gliders:
(i) Within the next 3 calendar months after November 8, 1999
(the effective date retained from AD 99-19-33), paint the elevator
drive mechanism using a contrasting color (such as red) following
the procedures in LET Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13/082a, dated
December 10, 1998.
(ii) As of November 8, 1999 (the effective date retained from AD
99-19-33), only install an elevator bellcrank that has been painted
as specified in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD and that has been
properly oriented to make sure it is not being installed backward.
(2) Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders:
(i) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date
of this AD, paint the elevator drive mechanism using a contrasting
color (such as red) following the procedures in LET Mandatory
Bulletin MB No.: L13/082a, dated December 10, 1998.
(ii) As of the effective date of this AD, only install an
elevator bellcrank that has been painted as specified in paragraph
(f)(2)(i) of this AD and that has been properly oriented to make
sure it is not being installed backward.
(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 Civil Aviation Authority AD CAA-AD-4-099/98, dated
December 30, 1998, for related information. You may examine the MCAI
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2016-4233. For service information related
to this AD, contact Blanik Limited, 2nd Floor Beaux Lane House,
Mercer Street Lower, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland; phone: +420 733
662 194; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.blanik.aero/%EF%BB%BFcustomer_support. You may review 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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 24, 2016.
Robert P. Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04542 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am]
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