[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 175 (Monday, September 10, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55411-55413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22039]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 175 / Monday, September 10, 2012 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 55411]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0046; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-040-AD;
Amendment 39-17186; AD 2012-15-07 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for
Glasflugel Models Standard Libelle-201B, Club Libelle 205, Mosquito,
and Kestrel gliders. That AD currently requires actions to address the
unsafe condition on these products. This new AD includes clarification
that the replacement control rod has an additional drain hole at the
rod bottom between the forks and is the acceptable configuration for
compliance. 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 corrosion damage to the elevator
control rod that could lead to failure of the elevator control rod,
possibly resulting in loss of control of the glider. We are issuing
this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 25, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 11,
2012.
We must receive any comments on this AD by October 25, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document 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 Glasfaser
Flugzeug-Service Hansj[ouml]rg Streifeneder GmbH, D-72582
Grabenstetten, Germany; phone: +49(0)73821032, fax: +49(0)73821629;
email: [email protected]; Internet: www.streifly.de/. You may review
copies of the 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
On July 18, 2012, we issued AD 2012-15-07, amendment 39-17136 (77
FR 46940, August 7, 2012) for Glasflugel Models Standard Libelle-201B,
Club Libelle 205, Mosquito, and Kestrel gliders. That AD resulted 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. We issued that AD to require actions
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Actions Since AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2012-15-07, amendment 39-17136 (77 FR 46940,
August 7, 2012), compliance with the existing AD required operators to
not install an elevator control rod with a control bore hole. An
operator reported that the improved replacement rods, as expected, have
no control bore hole on the side at the top of the rod where there had
previously been a hole. However, the improved replacement rods do have
a new drain hole at the bottom of the rod between the forks. The
operator expressed confusion as to whether this drain hole would cause
the new rod to not be in compliance since there was no clarification of
``on the side.''
Relevant Service Information
Glasfaser Flugzeug-Service GmbH has issued Technical Note TN 201-
40, TN 205-27, TN 206-26, TN 303-25, TN 304-12, TN 401-30, TN 501-10,
and TN 604-11, Revision 1, dated July 14, 2011 (EASA translation
approval dated September 9, 2011). The actions described in this
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD retains the actions from AD 2012-15-07 but adds the
language of ``on the side'' to assure that the replacement control rod,
which has an additional drain hole at the rod bottom between the forks,
is an acceptable configuration for compliance.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
This action incorporates clarification that the additional drain
hole at the rod bottom between the forks on the replacement control
rods is the acceptable configuration for compliance and does not
require any additional work for those airplanes. Therefore, we find
that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary
and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less
than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include
the docket number FAA-2012-0046 and directorate identifier 2011-CE-040-
AD at the beginning of your comments. We
[[Page 55412]]
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 54 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $333 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S.
operators to be $45,522, or $843 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 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; 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 adding the following new AD:
2012-15-07 R1 Glasflugel: Amendment 39-17186; Docket No. FAA-2012-
0046; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-040-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September
25, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD revises AD 2012-15-07, amendment 39-17136 (77 FR 46940,
August 7, 2012).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the following Glasflugel models and serial
number (S/N) gliders, certificated in any category:
(1) Club Libelle 205, all S/Ns.
(2) Kestrel, all S/Ns, except S/N 85, 110, and 125.
(3) Mosquito, all S/Ns.
(4) Standard Libelle-201B, S/N 169.
(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 corrosion damage
to the elevator control rod that could lead to failure of the
elevator control rod, possibly resulting in loss of control of the
glider. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within 30 days after September 11, 2012 (the effective date
of AD 2012-15-07), inspect the elevator control rod in the vertical
fin following Glasfaser Flugzeug-Service GmbH Technical Note TN 201-
40, TN 205-27, TN 206-26, TN 303-25, TN 304-12, TN 401-30, TN 501-
10, and TN 604-11, Revision 1, dated July 14, 2011 (EASA translation
approval dated September 9, 2011), as applicable to glider model.
(2) If you find any discrepancy in the inspection required by
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the
elevator control rod with an elevator control rod that does not have
a control bore hole on the side following Glasfaser Flugzeug-Service
GmbH Technical Note TN 201-40, TN 205-27, TN 206-26, TN 303-25, TN
304-12, TN 401-30, TN 501-10, and TN 604-11, Revision 1, dated July
14, 2011 (EASA translation approval dated September 9, 2011), as
applicable to glider model.
(3) Within 9 months after September 11, 2012 (the effective date
of AD 2012-15-07), unless already done as required by paragraph
(f)(2) of this AD, replace the elevator control rod in the vertical
fin with an elevator control rod that does not have a control bore
hole on the side following Glasfaser Flugzeug-Service GmbH Technical
Note TN 201-40, TN 205-27, TN 206-26, TN 303-25, TN 304-12, TN 401-
30, TN 501-10, and TN 604-11, Revision 1, dated July 14, 2011 (EASA
translation approval dated September 9, 2011), as applicable to
glider model.
(4) As of September 11, 2012 (the effective date of AD 2012-15-
07), do not install an elevator control rod with a control bore hole
on the side.
Note to paragraphs (f)(2), (f)(3), and (f)(4) of this AD: The
replacement control rod has an additional drain hole at the rod
bottom between the forks and is an acceptable configuration for
compliance.
(5) The actions mandated by this AD may be accomplished by
persons authorized to perform maintenance in accordance with 14 CFR
43.3 and by persons authorized to approve aircraft for return to
service after maintenance in accordance with 14 CFR 43.7.
(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
[[Page 55413]]
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.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, 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 current 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 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.:
2011-0213R1, dated November 8, 2011; and Glasfaser Flugzeug-Service
GmbH Technical Note TN 201-40, TN 205-27, TN 206-26, TN 303-25, TN
304-12, TN 401-30, TN 501-10, and TN 604-11, Revision 1, dated July
14, 2011 (EASA translation approval dated September 9, 2011), for
related information. For service information related to this AD,
contact Glasfaser Flugzeug-Service Hansj[ouml]rg Streifeneder GmbH,
D-72582 Grabenstetten, Germany; phone: +49(0)73821032, fax:
+49(0)73821629; email: [email protected]; Internet: www.streifly.de/.
You may review copies of the 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.
(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 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.
(3) The following information was approved for IBR on September
11, 2012.
(i) Glasfaser Flugzeug Service GmbH Technical Note TN 201-40, TN
205-27, TN 206-26, TN 303-25, TN 304-12, TN 401-30, TN 501-10, and
TN 604-11, Revision 1, dated July 14, 2011.
(ii) Reserved.
(4) For Glasflugel service information identified in this AD,
contact Glasfaser Flugzeug-Service Hansj[ouml]rg Streifeneder GmbH,
D-72582 Grabenstetten, Germany; phone: +49(0)73821032, fax:
+49(0)73821629; email: [email protected]; Internet: www.streifly.de/.
(5) You may view this service information at 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.
(6) 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/index.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 31, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22039 Filed 9-7-12; 8:45 am]
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