[Federal Register: March 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 46)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 10939-10941]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09mr04-16]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 10939]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; LET a.s. Model Blanik L-13 AC
Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all LET a.s. (formerly LET n.p.) (LET) Model Blanik L-13 AC
sailplanes. This proposed AD would require you to repetitively inspect
the bedding of the front and rear control levers for cracks, and, if
any cracks are found, replace with parts found free of cracks. This
proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the Czech
Republic. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct cracks
in the bedding of the front and rear control levers, which could result
in failure of the bridge of controls for the sailplane. This failure
could lead to loss of sailplane control.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by April 16,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed
AD:
By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
By fax: (816) 329-3771.
By e-mail: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov. Comments sent
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD'' in the subject
line. If you send comments electronically as attached electronic files,
the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from LET n.p., Kunovice 686 04, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 632 55
44 96; facsimile: +420 632 56 41 13.
You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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:
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal.
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD
Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you
want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-
addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We
will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you.
Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the Czech
Republic, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
certain LET Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes. The CAA reports one
occurrence of cracks in the attachment of control levers on the bridge
of controls (Drawing No. A71 210N) on a Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplane
after 130 hours time-in-service (TIS) of aerobatics. The cracks are due
to material fatigue.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected?
Failure of the bridge of controls for the sailplane could lead to loss
of sailplane control.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? LET has
issued Letecke Zavody Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13/095a, dated October
18, 2001.
What are the provisions of this service information? The service
bulletin includes procedures for:
--Inspecting the bedding of the front and rear control levers (Drawing
(DWG) No. A741 215N and DWG No. A741 210N) for cracks; and
--if any cracks are found, replacing with parts found free of cracks.
What action did the CAA take? The CAA classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued Czech AD Number CAA-AD-090/2001, dated
October 25, 2001, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
sailplanes in the Czech Republic.
Did the CAA inform the United States under the bilateral
airworthiness agreement? These LET Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes are
manufactured in the Czech Republic 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.
Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept us
informed of the situation described above.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? We have examined the CAA's findings, reviewed
all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary
for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in
the United States.
Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other LET Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes of the same
type design that are registered in the United States, we are proposing
AD action to detect and correct cracks in the bedding of the front and
rear control levers, which could result in failure of the bridge of
controls for the sailplane.
[[Page 10940]]
What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service
bulletin.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On
July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs 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 sailplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that
this proposed AD affects 5 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs
to accomplish this proposed inspection:
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Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per Total cost on U.S. operators
sailplane
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1 workhour x $65 per hour = $65...... Not Applicable.......... $65 $65 x 5 = $325
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Since the replacement of parts will vary based on the damage found
as a result of the proposed inspection, we are unable to estimate the
costs to do any necessary replacements.
Regulatory Findings
Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have 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.
Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
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 proposed AD
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
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
LET a.s.: Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD
When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?
(a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness
directive (AD) by April 16, 2004.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes, serial
numbers 988601, 988603, 988604, 008605, and 008606, that are
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 the
Czech Republic. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
detect and correct cracks in the bedding of the front and rear
control levers, which could result in failure of the bridge of
controls for the sailplane. This failure could lead to loss of
sailplane control.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect the bedding of Within the next 25 Follow the WORK
the front and rear control hours time-in- PROCEDURE paragraph
levers (Drawing (DWG) No. service (TIS) after of LET Letecke
A741 215N and DWG No. A741 the effective date Zavody Mandatory
210N) for cracks. of this AD, unless Bulletin No.: L13/
already done. 095a, dated October
Repetitively 18, 2001.
inspect thereafter
at every 25 hours
TIS.
-----------------------------
(2) If any cracks are found Before further Follow the WORK
during any inspection flight after any PROCEDURE paragraph
required by paragraph inspection required of LET Letecke
(e)(1) of this AD, replace by paragraph (e)(1) Zavody Mandatory
with parts shown free of of this AD.. Bulletin No.: L13/
cracks. Repetitive 095a, dated October
inspections are still 18, 2001, and the
required. applicable
sailplane
maintenance manual.
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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, Standards Office, Small
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved
alternative methods of compliance, 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.
[[Page 10941]]
May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?
(g) You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD
from LET a.s., Kunovice 686 04, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 632
55 44 96; facsimile: +420 632 56 41 13. You may view these documents
at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust,
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(h) Czech Airworthiness Directive CAA-AD-090/2001, dated October
25, 2001, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 2, 2004.
Sandra J. Campbell,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5264 Filed 3-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P