[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 157 (Thursday, August 13, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49235-49238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17650]



[[Page 49235]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0714; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00589-G; 
Amendment 39-21189; AD 2020-16-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o. Model L 23 Super-Blanik gliders. This AD 
requires a one-time inspection of the rudder control cable attachment 
screws and hinge bolts, replacement of the cable attachment screws and 
hinge bolts if a crack is found, and reporting the inspection results 
to the manufacturer. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked rudder 
cable attachment screws. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 28, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 28, 
2020.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by September 28, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o., Beranovych 65, Letnany, Praha, 199 00, Czech 
Republic; phone: +420 731 425 699; internet: https://www.blanik.aero/customer-support; email: [email protected]. You may view this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0714.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0714; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; phone: (816) 
329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has 
issued EASA AD No. 2020-0068-E, dated March 23, 2020 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition for Blanik 
Aircraft CZ s.r.o. Model L 23 Super-Blanik gliders. The MCAI states:

    During a standard maintenance procedure on an L 23 Super-
Blan[iacute]k sailplane, a crack was detected on a rudder control 
cable attachment screw.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
rudder control failure, possibly resulting in loss of directional 
control of the sailplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, BACZ [Blanik Aircraft CZ 
s.r.o.] issued the MB [mandatory bulletin] and the IB [information 
bulletin] to provide inspection and replacement instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection and, depending on findings, replacement of affected 
parts.

    Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o. advises that reporting by operators and 
maintenance facilities indicates that this issue is not an isolated 
event. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the 
AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0714.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Blanik Mandatory Bulletin Document No. L23/060a, 
Revision 2, dated March 17, 2020, which contains procedures for 
inspecting the affected parts. The FAA also reviewed Blanik Information 
Bulletin Document No. L23/061b, Revision 1, dated March 17, 2020, which 
contains procedures for replacing the affected parts. 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.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by EASA, and is approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement 
with the European Union, EASA has notified us of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. The FAA 
is issuing this AD because it evaluated all the relevant information 
provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition is likely to exist 
or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires a one-time inspection of the rudder control cable 
attachment screws and hinge bolts and, if a crack is found, replacement 
of the affected parts as specified in the service information described 
previously. This AD also requires reporting certain information to the 
manufacturer.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the required corrective actions must be accomplished before 
further flight. Therefore, the FAA finds good cause that notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition, 
for the reason stated above, the FAA finds that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

[[Page 49236]]

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0714; 
Product Identifier MCAI-2020-00589-G'' at the beginning of your 
comments. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing 
date and may amend this AD because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information as described in the 
following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments we receive, without change, to 
https://regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive 
verbal contact it receives about this AD.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Jim 
Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 91 gliders of U.S. registry. 
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect rudder cable attach fasteners.  2.5 work-hours x $85.00            $0.00         $212.50      $19,337.50
                                         per hour = $212.50.
Reporting results to the manufacturer.  1 hour x $85.00 per hour            0.00           85.00        7,735.00
                                         = $85.00.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of parts that 
might need these replacements.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace fasteners..........................  3.5 work-hours x $85.00 per hour =          $213.00         $510.50
                                              $297.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, completing and reviewing the collection of 
information. All responses to this collection of information are 
mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other 
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for 
reducing this burden to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 
76177-1524.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    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.

[[Page 49237]]

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2020-16-05 Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o.: Amendment 39-21189; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0714; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00589-G.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 28, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o. Model L 23 Super-
Blanik gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2720, RUDDER CONTROL 
SYSTEM.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking on the rudder 
control cable attachment screw. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect 
and prevent a crack in a rudder control cable attachment screw, 
which could result in in-flight collapse of the screw. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in rudder control failure 
and loss of control of the glider.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection and Replacement

    (1) For purposes of this AD, an affected part means a part 
identified in table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. The series 
refers to the second pair of digits in the glider serial number.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR13AU20.001

    (2) Before further flight after August 28, 2020 (the effective 
date of this AD), inspect each affected part in accordance with the 
Working Procedure, paragraphs A.1(1) through A.1(4) or paragraphs 
A.2(1) through A.2(4), as applicable for each part, of Blanik 
Mandatory Bulletin Document No. L23/060a, Revision 2, dated March 
17, 2020.
    (3) If there are no cracks in the inspection area of a part 
during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, 
before further flight, install the rudder in accordance with the 
Working Procedure, paragraph A.1(8) or A.2(8), as applicable for 
each part, of Blanik Mandatory Bulletin Document No. L23/060a, 
Revision 2, dated March 17, 2020.
    (4) If there are any cracks in the inspection area of a part 
during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, 
before further flight, replace the part in accordance with the 
Working Procedure, paragraphs A.1, A.2, either A.3.1. or A.3.2 (as 
applicable), and A.4, of Blanik Information Bulletin Document No. 
L23/061b, Revision 1, dated March 17, 2020, and install the rudder 
in accordance with the Working Procedure, paragraph A.1(8) or 
A.2(8), as applicable for each part, of Blanik Mandatory Bulletin 
Document No. L23/060a, Revision 2, dated March 17, 2020.

(h) Reporting Requirement

    Within 10 days after each inspection required by paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD, report the following information to Blanik 
Aircraft CZ s.r.o. at the address provided in paragraph (m)(3) of 
this AD.
    (1) Glider registration number (N number).
    (2) Glider serial number.
    (3) Glider total hours time-in-service.
    (4) Number of starts by winch and tow (if known).
    (5) Inspection results (including no findings).

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraphs 
(g)(2) and (g)(3) of this AD if you accomplish those actions before 
the effective date of this AD using Blanik Mandatory Bulletin 
Document No. L23/060a, Revision 1, dated March 4, 2020, and, Blanik 
Information Bulletin Document No. L23/061b, original issue, dated 
March 4, 2020. If you take this credit, you do not have to comply 
with the reporting requirement in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(j) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 1 hour per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, completing and reviewing 
the collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden 
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, 
including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD.

[[Page 49238]]

    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jim Rutherford, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2020-0068-E, dated March 23, 2020, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0714.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
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) Blanik Mandatory Bulletin Document No. L23/060a, Revision 2, 
dated March 17, 2020.
    (ii) Blanik Information Bulletin Document No. L23/061b, Revision 
1, dated March 17, 2020.
    (3) For Blanik service information identified in this AD, 
contact Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o., Beranovych 65, Letnany, Praha, 
199 00, Czech Republic; phone: +420 731 425 699; internet: https://www.blanik.aero/customer-support; email: [email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is 
also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0714.
    (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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on July 28, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-17650 Filed 8-12-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P