[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 441-443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-46]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-50-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CENTRAIR 101 Series Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to all S.N. CENTRAIR (CENTRAIR) 101 series
gliders that have modification 101-24 (major cockpit configuration
equipped on all gliders manufactured since 1990) incorporated, and do
not have modification 101-21 (minor modifications to this cockpit
configuration) incorporated. The proposed AD would require securing an
attachment lug to the battery discharge warning device on the glider
bracket. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority
for France. The
[[Page 442]]
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent elevator
flight control interference caused by an unsecured battery discharge
warning device, which could result in reduced or loss of glider
control.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 11, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-50-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from S.N. CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone:
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. This information also may be
examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be
submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule.
The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of
the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 98-CE-50-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-50-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on all CENTRAIR 101 series gliders that have
modification 101-24 (major cockpit configuration equipped on all
gliders manufactured since 1990) incorporated, and do not have
modification 101-21 (minor modifications to this cockpit configuration)
incorporated. The DGAC reports that the battery discharge warning
device was not secure during a routine inspection on one of the
affected gliders.
If the battery discharge warning device is not secure on the
bracket of the glider, the pilot could experience a loss of elevator
control with no warning of the loss of power.
Relevant Service Information
CENTRAIR has issued Service Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 1, dated
May 20, 1997, which specifies procedures for securing an attachment lug
to the battery discharge warning device on the glider bracket.
The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
French AD 97-149(A), dated July 16, 1997, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these gliders in France.
The FAA's Determination
These glider models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC; reviewed all
available information, including the service information referenced
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other CENTRAIR 101 series gliders of the same type
design that are registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing
AD action. The proposed AD would require securing an attachment lug
(part number $Y986A or an FAA-approved equivalent part number) to the
battery discharge warning device on the glider bracket.
Accomplishment of the proposed action would be required in
accordance with CENTRAIR Service Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 1, dated
May 20, 1997.
The affected gliders have modification 101-24 (major cockpit
configuration equipped on all gliders manufactured since 1990)
incorporated, and do not have modification 101-21 (minor modifications
to this cockpit configuration) incorporated.
Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The unsafe condition described
by the proposed AD is not a result of repetitive glider operation. The
loss of battery power to the elevator control system could occur
regardless of whether the glider is in flight. Therefore, to assure
that the above-referenced condition is corrected on all of the affected
gliders within a reasonable period of time without inadvertently
grounding any gliders, a compliance schedule based upon calendar time
instead of hours TIS is proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 63 gliders in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4
workhours per glider to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $15 per glider. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $16,065,
or $255 per glider.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient
[[Page 443]]
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism
Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated,
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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
S.N. Centrair: Docket No. 98-CE-50-AD.
Applicability: Models 101, 101A, 101P, and 101AP gliders, all
serial numbers, certificated in any category; that have modification
101-24 (major cockpit configuration equipped on all gliders
manufactured since 1990) incorporated, and do not have modification
101-21 (minor modifications to this cockpit configuration)
incorporated.
Note 1: This AD applies to each glider identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For gliders that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within the next 3 calendar months after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent elevator flight control interference caused by an
unsecured battery discharge warning device, which could result in
reduced or loss of glider control, accomplish the following:
(a) Secure an attachment lug (part number $Y986A or an FAA-
approved equivalent part number) to the battery discharge warning
device on the glider bracket, in accordance with CENTRAIR Service
Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 1, dated May 20, 1997.
(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the glider to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to CENTRAIR
Service Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 1, dated May 20, 1997, should
be directed to S.N. CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France;
telephone: 02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. This service
information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 97-
149(A), dated July 16, 1997.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 29, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-46 Filed 1-4-99; 8:45 am]
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