Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CENTRAIR 101 Series Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 238 (Monday, December 11, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77261-77263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30945]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-49-AD; Amendment 39-12030; AD 2000-24-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CENTRAIR 101 Series 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 certain S.N. CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. This AD requires 
you to inspect the airbrake control system for cracks; and if cracks 
are detected, replace the airbrake control 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 detect cracks in the airbrake control system 
and replace cracked parts with parts of improved design. A crack in the 
airbrake control system could prevent the pilot from using the airbrake 
system.

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-49-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 told the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain S.N. CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. 
The DGAC reports that a failure analysis of the welded parts of 
airbrake arms revealed that cracks could occur in these parts.

What Happens If You Do Not Correct the Condition?

    This condition, if not corrected, could result in undetected 
cracks. Consequently, a crack in the airbrake control system could 
prevent the pilot from using the airbrake system.

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 
certain S.N. CENTRAIR 101 series gliders. This proposal was published 
in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on 
September 14, 2000 (65 FR 55466). The NPRM proposed to require you to 
inspect the airbrake control system for cracks and if cracks are 
detected, replace the airbrake control system.

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.

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 inspection:

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                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost         Total cost per glider          operators
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2 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $120..  No parts required for    $120 per glider........  $120  x  41 = $4,920.
                                        the inspection.
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    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the replacement of 
the airbrake control system if necessary:

[[Page 77262]]



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             Labor cost                       Parts cost                       Total cost per glider
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2 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $240  $100 per glider............  $340 per glider.
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Compliance Time of This AD

Why Is the Compliance Time in Calendar Time?

    The compliance time of this AD is in calendar time instead of hours 
time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly use of the affected gliders 
ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner may operate the 
glider 25 hours TIS in one week, while another operator may operate the 
glider 25 hours TIS in one year. In order to ensure that all of the 
owners/operators of the affected glider have inspected the airbrake 
control system within a reasonable amount of time, the FAA is utilizing 
a compliance time of 60 calendar days after the effective date of this 
AD.

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:

2000-24-23  S.N. Centrair: Amendment 39-12030; Docket No. 2000-CE-
49-AD.

    (a) What gliders are affected by this AD? This AD affects Models 
101, 101A, 101P, and 101AP gliders, all serial numbers up to but not 
including 101A0628, 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 by 
this AD are intended to detect cracks in the airbrake control system 
and replace cracked parts with parts of improved design.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must do the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions              Compliance times         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the system for    Within the next 60    Do this action
 cracks.                       calendar days after   following S.N.
                               January 27, 2001      CENTRAIR Service
                               (the effective date   Bulletin No. 101-
                               of this AD), and      16, Revision 3,
                               then every 12         dated February 2,
                               calendar months       1999.
                               inspection.
(2) If you detect cracks,     Before further        Do this action
 replace airbrake control      flight after the      following the S.N.
 system.                       inspection.           CENTRAIR
                                                     maintenance manual.
    (i) For gliders equipped
     with manual aileron and
     airbrake control
     systems, install S.N.
     CENTRAIR part number (P/
     N) $YO57D or an FAA-
     approved equivalent
     part number.
    (ii) For gliders
     equipped with an
     automatic aileron and
     airbrake control
     system, install S.N.
     CENTRAIR P/N $Y818E or
     an FAA-approved
     equivalent part number.
(3) You may stop the          Before further        Not applicable.
 repetitive inspection         flight if found
 requirement of this AD by     cracked as required
 replacing the air brake       by paragraph (d)(2)
 control system with the       of this AD; or.
 applicable part referenced   At any time if the
 in this AD.                   part is not cracked.
(4) You may not install any   As of January 27,     Not applicable.
 airbrake control system       2001 (the effective
 that is not of the            date of this AD).
 applicable part numbers
 referenced in paragraphs
 (d)(2)(i) and (d)(2)(ii) 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

[[Page 77263]]

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) 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. 101-16, Revision 3, dated 
February 2, 1999. 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. 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 1995-
261(A) R3, dated January 26, 2000.



    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 28, 2000.
William J. Timberlake,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30945 Filed 12-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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