Airworthiness Directives; HPH s. r. o. Models Glasflügel 304CZ, 304CZ-17, and 304C Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 82 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23099-23101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9377]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-63-AD; Amendment 39-13592; AD 2004-09-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; HPH s. r. o. Models Glasfl[uuml]gel 
304CZ, 304CZ-17, and 304C Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
HPH s. r. o. (HPH) Models Glasfl[uuml]gel 304CZ, 304CZ-17, and 304C 
sailplanes. This AD requires you to inspect to determine the airbrake 
handle attachment rivet material. This AD also

[[Page 23100]]

requires you to replace any non-steel rivet with a steel rivet. This AD 
is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for the Czech Republic. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent the airbrake handle from becoming loose, 
which could result in failure of the airbrake control. This failure 
could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 11, 2004.
    As of June 11, 2004, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulation.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from HPH spol.s r.o., C[aacute]slavsk[aacute] 126, P.O. Box 112, CZ284 
01 Kutn[aacute] Hora, Czech Republic; telephone: 011-42-327 513441; e-
mail: [email protected].
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-63-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:

Discussion

    What events have caused this 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 HPH 
Models Glasfl[uuml]gel 304CZ, 304CZ-17, and 304C sailplanes. The CAA 
reports that excessive free play in the airbrake handle was found 
during a pre-flight check on a Glasfl[uuml]gel 304CZ sailplane.
    A non-steel (duralumin) rivet connecting the airbrake handle to the 
pushrod had become loose.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not 
corrected, a loose airbrake handle could result in failure of airbrake 
control. This failure could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.
    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 HPH Models Glasfl[uuml]gel 
304CZ, 304CZ-17, and 304C sailplanes. This proposal was published in 
the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on 
February 4, 2004 (69 FR 5302). The NPRM proposed to require you to 
inspect to determine the airbrake handle attachment rivet material and 
replace any non-steel rivet with a steel rivet.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
--Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for 
correcting the unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the 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 does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 12 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Total Cost Per         Total Cost on U.S.
              Labor Cost                      Parts Cost               Sailplane                Operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $65 per hour = $65......  Not applicable.........  $65....................  $65 x 12 = $780.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements that will be required based on the results of this 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of sailplanes that 
may need this replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total Cost Per
           Labor Cost                 Parts Cost      Sailplane Airbrake
                                                            Handle
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $65 per hour = $65.  $10 for each        $65 + $30 (to
                                   rivet. 3 rivets     replace all 3
                                   on each airbrake    rivets) = $95.
                                   handle.
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Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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 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-63-AD'' in your request.

[[Page 23101]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2004-09-03 HPH s. r. o.: Amendment 39-13592; Docket No. 2003-CE-63-
AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on June 11, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Models Glasfl[uuml]gel 304CZ, 304CZ-17, and 
304C sailplanes, serial numbers 1 through 60-17, 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 
prevent the airbrake handle from becoming loose, which could result 
in failure of the airbrake control. This failure could lead to loss 
of control of the sailplane.

What Must I do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect to determine the      Within the next 25  Follow HPH spol.s
 airbrake handle attachment        hours time-in-      r.o. Mandatory
 rivet material.                   service (TIS)       Bulletin No.:
                                   after June 11,      G304CZ-05 a)
                                   2004 (the           G304CZ17-05 a),
                                   effective date of   dated March 26,
                                   this AD).           2003.
(2) Replace any non-steel         Before further      Follow HPH spol.s
 attachment rivet with a steel     flight after the    r.o. Mandatory
 rivet.                            inspection          Bulletin No.:
                                   required in         G304CZ-05 a)
                                   paragraph (e)(1)    G304CZ17-05 a),
                                   of this AD.         dated March 26,
                                                       2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in HPH spol.s r.o. Mandatory Bulletin No.: G304CZ-05 a) 
G304CZ17-05 a), dated March 26, 2003. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service 
bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You 
may get a copy from HPH spol.s r.o., C[aacute]slavsk[aacute] 126, 
P.O. Box 112, CZ284 01 Kutn[aacute] Hora, Czech Republic; telephone: 
011-42-327 513441; e-mail: [email protected]. You may review copies at FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 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.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) Czech Republic AD Number CAA-AD-040/2003, dated May 6, 2003, 
also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 19, 2004.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9377 Filed 4-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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