[Federal Register: August 11, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 155)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 46128-46130]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11au06-18]
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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 46128]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24709; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-28-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H
301B ``Libelle,'' Standard ``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B
Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Glasflugel Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H 301B ``Libelle,'' Standard
``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B sailplanes. This proposed AD
would require you to replace the rudder actuator arm (manufactured
according to drawing No. 301-45-10) with an improved design rudder
actuator arm (manufactured following drawing No. 301-45-13). This
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are
proposing this AD to detect and correct damage to the rudder actuator
arm, which could result in failure of the rudder actuator arm. This
failure could result in reduced or loss of rudder control.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 11,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Glasflugel, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjory Steifeneder,
Hofener Weg, 72582 Grabenstetten, Federal Republic of Germany;
telephone: 011 49 7382 1032.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Davison, Glider Project
Officer, ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile:
(816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2006-24709; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-28-AD'' at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive concerning this proposed AD.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all
Glasflugel Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H 301B ``Libelle,'' Standard
``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B sailplanes. The LBA reports
several occurrences of damage to the rudder actuator arm caused by
inappropriately lifting the fuselage at the rudder during ground
handling. Visual inspections of the actuator arm revealed the damage to
the rudder actuator arm.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the
rudder actuator arm. This failure could result in reduced or loss of
rudder control.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH Hansj[ouml]rg
Streifeneder Technical Note No. 201-35 and No. 301-39, dated March 1,
2005.
The service information describes procedures for replacing the
rudder actuator arm (manufactured according to drawing No. 301-45-10)
with an improved design actuator arm (manufactured following drawing
No. 301-45-13).
Foreign Airworthiness Authority Information
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD Number D-2005-118, dated April 4, 2005, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
These Glasflugel Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H 301B ``Libelle,''
Standard ``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B sailplanes are
manufactured in Germany 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 LBA has kept us
informed of the situation described above.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we have examined the LBA's
findings, evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of
the same type design that are certificated for operation in the United
States.
This proposed AD would require you to replace the rudder actuator
arm (manufactured according to drawing No. 301-45-10) with an improved
design actuator arm (manufactured following drawing No. 301-45-13).
[[Page 46129]]
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 160 sailplanes in
the U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed replacement of
the rudder actuator arm (manufactured according to drawing No. 301-45-
10):
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Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost sailplane U.S. operators
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3 work-hours x $80 per hour = $240........................... $150 $390 $62,400
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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 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227)
is located at the street address stated 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA 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 AD:
Glasflugel: Docket No. FAA-2006-24709; Directorate Identifier 2006-
CE-28-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by September 11, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD affects Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H 301B
``Libelle,'' Standard ``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B
sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any
category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for
Germany. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage to the
rudder actuator arm, which could result in failure of the rudder
actuator arm. This failure could result in reduced or loss of rudder
control.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Replace the rudder Within the next 30 Follow Glasfaser-
actuator arm (manufactured days after the Flugzeug-Service
according to drawing No. effective date of GmbH Hansj[ouml]rg
301-45-10) with an improved this AD, unless Streifeneder
design actuator arm already done. Technical Note No.
(manufactured following 201-35 and No. 301-
drawing No. 301-45-13). 39, dated March 1,
2005.
(2) Do not install any As of the effective Not Applicable.
rudder actuator arm date of this AD.
(manufactured according to
drawing No. 301-45-10).
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(f) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate,
FAA, ATTN: Gregory Davison, Glider Project Officer, ACE-112, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(g) German AD Number D-2005-118, dated April 4, 2005, also
addresses the subject of this AD. To get copies of the service
information referenced in this AD, contact Glasflugel, Glasfaser-
Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjory Steifeneder, Hofener Weg, 72582
Grabenstetten, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 011 49 7382
1032. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
[[Page 46130]]
Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2006-24709;
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-28-AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 4, 2006.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-13134 Filed 8-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P