70 FR 74 pgs. 20271-20273 - Airworthiness Directives; CENTRAIR 101 Series Gliders
Type: RULEVolume: 70Number: 74Pages: 20271 - 20273
Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2004-19616; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-38-AD; Amendment 39-14058; AD 2005-08-06]
FR document: [FR Doc. 05-7564 Filed 4-18-05; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19616; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-38-AD; Amendment 39-14058; AD 2005-08-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; CENTRAIR 101 Series Gliders
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all CENTRAIR 101 series gliders with other than elevator or aileron part number (P/N) SY991A hinge pins installed. This AD requires you to replace any installed elevator or aileron hinge pins that are not P/N SY991A hinge pins with P/N SY991A pins. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. We are issuing this AD to replace incorrectly heat-treated elevator or aileron hinge pins, which could result in failure of the elevator or ailerons. Such failure during takeoff, landing, or flight operations could lead to loss of glider control.
DATES:
This AD becomes effective on June 2, 2005.
As of June 2, 2005, the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulation.
ADDRESSES:
To get the service information identified in this AD, contact CENTRAIR, Aerodome B.P.N. 44, 36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: 02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64.
To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590- 001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-19616.
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:
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. The DGAC reports occurrences of improperly heat-treated aileron and elevator hinge pins installed on the CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. Incorrectly heat-treated elevator or aileron hinge pins could result in longitudinal cracks that cause failure of the elevator or ailerons. CENTRAIR has made available new hinge pins (part number (P/N) SY991A) to replace any incorrectly heat-treated elevator or aileron hinge pins or hinge pins with longitudinal cracks.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Failure of the elevator or ailerons during takeoff, landing, or flight operations could lead to loss of glider 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 CENTRAIR 101 series gliders with other than elevator or aileron part number (P/N) SY991A hinge pins installed. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 13, 2004 (69 FR 72136). The NPRM proposed to require you to replace any installed elevator or aileron hinge pins that are not P/N SY991A hinge pins with P/N SY991A pins.
Comments
Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
-Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
-Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39-Effect on the AD
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. 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.
Costs of Compliance
How many gliders does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD affects 57 gliders in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the affected gliders? We estimate the following costs to do the elevator and aileron hinge pin replacement. We have no way of determining the number of gliders that may need this hinge pin replacement. However, we have presented the costs to reflect all 57 gliders needing the mandatory replacement:
| Labor cost | Parts cost | Total cost per glider | Total cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 workhours × $65 per hour = $260 | $1 | $261 | $261 × 57 = $14,877 |
Authority for This Rulemaking
What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 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 AD.
Regulatory Findings
Will this AD impact various entities? We have 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.
Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); and
3. 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES . Include "Docket No. FAA-2004-19616; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-38-AD" in your request.
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 Federal Aviation Administration amends 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.
§ 39.13 [Amended]
2. FAA amends § 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2005-08-06Centrair: Amendment 39-14058; Docket No. FAA-2004-19616; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-38-AD.
When Does This AD Become Effective?
(a) This AD becomes effective on June 2, 2005.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Gliders Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects Models 101, 101A, 101AP, and 101P gliders, all serial numbers, without elevator and aileron part number SY991A hinge pins installed, certificated in any category.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified in this AD are intended to replace incorrectly heat-treated elevator or aileron hinge pins, which could result in failure of the elevator or ailerons. Such failure during takeoff, landing, or flight operations could lead to loss of glider control.
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
| Actions | Compliance | Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Replace any installed elevator and aileron hinge pins that are not part number (P/N) SY991A hinge pins with P/N SY991A hinge pins | Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after June 2, 2005 (the effective date of this AD), unless already done | Follow Société Nouvelle Centrair Service Bulletin No. 101-22, dated March 13, 2001. |
| (2) Do not install any elevator and aileron hinge pins that are not P/NSY991A hinge pins as specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD | As of June 2, 2005 (the effective date of this AD) | Not Applicable. |
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, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(g) French AD Number 2001-247(A), dated June 27, 2001, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?
(h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the instructions in Société Nouvelle Centrair Service Bulletin No. 101-22, dated March 13, 2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get a copy of this service information, contact CENTRAIR, Aerodome B.P.N. 44, 36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: 02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. To review copies of this service information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-19616.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 11, 2005.
Nancy C. Lane,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7564 Filed 4-18-05; 8:45 am]
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