Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CENTRAIR Model 201B Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77774-77776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30903]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-48-AD; Amendment 39-12029; AD 2000-24-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CENTRAIR Model 201B Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:  Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all S.N. CENTRAIR Model 201B gliders. This AD requires you 
to modify the rear canopy emergency release system. 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 prevent the rear canopy retaining strap from 
not releasing properly during the emergency egress procedure because of 
the current design of the rear canopy emergency release system. This 
condition, if not corrected, will not allow the rear canopy to 
completely separate from the glider and could result in potential 
injury to the pilot during an emergency egress.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 27, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
January 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from S.N. CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: 
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. You may examine this 
information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 
2000-CE-48-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? 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 S.N. CENTRAIR Model 201B gliders. The DGAC reports an incident 
where a Model 201B rear canopy strap did not properly release during an 
actual emergency egress.
    The DGAC advises that the problem is related to the unreliability 
of the rear canopy in completely separating from the glider during an 
emergency egress procedure.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? If the 
rear canopy retaining strap does not release properly during the 
emergency egress procedure, the rear canopy will not completely 
separate from the glider. This could result in potential injury to the 
pilot during an emergency egress.
    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 S.N. CENTRAIR Model 201B gliders. 
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 29, 2000 (65 FR 58495). The 
NPRM proposed to require you to install a mechanism that automatically 
releases the rear canopy strap when the emergency canopy lever is 
actuated.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were afforded 
an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No 
comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination 
of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's Final Determination on this Issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We determined that these minor corrections:

--will not change the meaning of the AD; and
--will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed.

Compliance Time of this AD

    What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this 
AD is ``within the next 3 months after the effective date of this AD.''
    Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of 
hours time-in-service (TIS)? Although the rear canopy retaining strap 
not releasing properly during the emergency egress

[[Page 77775]]

procedure occurs during flight, the condition is not a direct result of 
glider operation. The chance of this situation occurring is the same 
for a glider with 10 hours TIS as it would be for a glider with 500 
hours TIS. A calendar time for compliance will assure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed on all gliders in a reasonable time period.
    What are the differences between the French AD and this AD?
    The French AD requires installation of a mechanism that 
automatically releases the rear canopy strap when the emergency canopy 
lever is actuated. The French AD also requires a visual inspection to 
ensure that the modification is incorporated correctly.
    The FAA does not require this inspection because we believe that 
the procedures are adequate to allow the maintenance personnel to 
accomplish the action correctly.

Cost Impact

    How many gliders does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 41 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 accomplish the 
modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Total cost
              Labor cost                         Parts cost               Total cost per glider        on U.S.
                                                                                                      Operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $240..  $150 per glider..............  $390 per glider..............      $15,990
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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) 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 final evaluation prepared for this action is contained 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, 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2000-24-22  S.N. Centrair: Amendment 39-12029; Docket No. 2000-CE-
48-AD.

    (a) What gliders are affected by this AD? This AD affects Model 
201B gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above gliders must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified in 
this AD are intended to prevent the rear canopy retaining strap from 
not releasing properly during the emergency egress procedure because 
of the current design of the rear canopy emergency release system. 
This condition, if not corrected, will not allow the rear canopy to 
completely separate from the glider and could result in potential 
injury to the pilot during an emergency egress.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions              Compliance times         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Install a mechanism that  Within the next 3     Follow the
 automatically releases the    months after          procedures in S.N
 rear canopy strap when the    January 27, 2001      Centrair Process
 emergency canopy lever is     (the effective date   Sheet for Fitment
 actuated.                     of AD).               of the Release Unit
                                                     for the Rear Canopy
                                                     Strap on Glider
                                                     Centrair 201
                                                     ``Marianne'', dated
                                                     March 17, 1999 (or
                                                     the instructions
                                                     provided with the
                                                     modification kit).
                                                     The document
                                                     specified above is
                                                     referenced in S.N.
                                                     CENTRAIR Service
                                                     Bulletin No. 201-
                                                     16, Revision 1,
                                                     dated December 12,
                                                     1999. The
                                                     inspection
                                                     referenced in the
                                                     service bulletin is
                                                     not required by
                                                     this AD.
(2) Do not install a rear     As of January 27,     Not Applicable.
 canopy emergency release      2001 (the effective
 system without                date of this AD).
 incorporating the
 modification referenced in
 paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your 
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each glider identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e)

[[Page 77776]]

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 you have not eliminated the unsafe 
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Mike Kiesov, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the glider to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your glider to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with S.N. CENTRAIR Service Bulletin No. 201-16, Revision 1, dated 
December 12, 1999, and S.N Centrair Process Sheet for Fitment of the 
Release Unit for the Rear Canopy Strap on Glider Centrair 201 
``Marianne'', dated March 17, 1999 (including photo 1A added to page 
3 or November 8, 1999). The instructions provided with the 
modification kit also include these procedures. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from S.N. 
CENTRAIR, Aerodome 36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: 
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. You can look at copies at 
the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on January 27, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 1999-
055(A)R1, dated February 5, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 28, 2000.
William J. Timberlake,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30903 Filed 12-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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